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thattheatrekid's reviews
121 reviews
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I adore this book! Going into it I wasn’t sure what to expect since I love adapted fairy tales and dystopia but I’m not very into science fiction. It was phenomenal! I’m so attached to Cinder now that I don’t know how to feel about new characters, lol. Fabulous book I’ve been waiting ages to read, and I can’t wait to get the next one! This is how you adapt a fairy tale, and it was very fun to see little Easter eggs of Cinderella, like offhand references to rats or pumpkins.
Only minus was it was slow at times, but only when necessary. No scenes that didn’t tastefully serve the plot, which I appreciate.
Only minus was it was slow at times, but only when necessary. No scenes that didn’t tastefully serve the plot, which I appreciate.
Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I was very surprised by this gem of a book! I kept the pages turning all day and was fully invested in the story. Toward the beginning I had to get into it more to appreciate it, and many of the foreign words were not fully explained or visualized, but the story!! It was so good and almost felt like some twisted and dark version of Frozen. Some of the plot twists I saw coming, but others I didn’t and even when I did they were gripping. I loved the character development and that Soraya accepted who she was at the end; the way her curse went from a curse to a beautiful part of her was also moving and reflective. I feel like her family could be more fleshed out but I understand why they weren’t, given how little page time they had. Compared to many other novels, the characters and especially villain were very well developed and I loved the grey morals.
Bonus points: it’s a standalone so I do t have to commit to yet another series or brace myself for a mediocre sequel!
Bonus points: it’s a standalone so I do t have to commit to yet another series or brace myself for a mediocre sequel!
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
3.5
Solid 3 star book. The writing wasn’t bad and neither was the concept; it just wasn’t my cup of tea. I will say, it was better than I expected and I was invested in all 4 stories, so I gave it an extra half star.
The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
A good sequel! I didn’t find it gripping, per se, but I read it in a day and didn’t struggle to make it through.
None of the guys were very likeable or fleshed out for having so much page time. Even Xander, my favorite from the last book, appeared less, was rather useless, and was not quite as charismatic. The entire romance altogether, aside from a few scenes, was annoying and it was so typically irritating to see yet another female lead go back and forth - “what ever will I do? Two hot brothers like me and I can’t decide which one I want to be with! In fact, I don’t know what I want ever!” I just wish it would be different.
I loved how Max was in the story more, though Avery was kinda selfish barely ever asking her about her own problems and feelings (and when she did, she didn’t care despite knowing what was going on and that Max had been kicked out of her freaking house . Anyway, rooting for more Max page time!
Maybe it’s just me but the whole Emily subplot and detailed family tree history was kind of confusing and distracting at times. I also found myself not caring who was related to who and getting annoyed with it all. I also didn’t like the Thea/Rebecca subplot; it just felt very clunky and unnecessary given that it didn’t even matter till the end.
All in all I had high expectations for this book that weren’t quite met, but it was decent with an interesting mystery concept and I’ll be checking out the next one.
None of the guys were very likeable or fleshed out for having so much page time. Even Xander, my favorite from the last book, appeared less, was rather useless, and was not quite as charismatic. The entire romance altogether, aside from a few scenes, was annoying and it was so typically irritating to see yet another female lead go back and forth - “what ever will I do? Two hot brothers like me and I can’t decide which one I want to be with! In fact, I don’t know what I want ever!” I just wish it would be different.
I loved how Max was in the story more, though Avery was kinda selfish barely ever asking her about her own problems and feelings (and when she did, she didn’t care despite knowing what was going on and that
Maybe it’s just me but the whole Emily subplot and detailed family tree history was kind of confusing and distracting at times. I also found myself not caring who was related to who and getting annoyed with it all. I also didn’t like the Thea/Rebecca subplot; it just felt very clunky and unnecessary given that it didn’t even matter till the end.
All in all I had high expectations for this book that weren’t quite met, but it was decent with an interesting mystery concept and I’ll be checking out the next one.
American Royals by Katharine McGee
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I struggle on where to start with a review! This book was a really good break from my usual heavier dystopian reads, where it’s just focused on romance drama and non world stakes. I was invested in the story but all the characters but Sam and Beatrice were woefully underdeveloped (especially the male characters) . At multiple points in the story it felt like I was supposed to care about certain characters, but I didn’t because I didn’t know them well enough. The not so subtle political commentary was interesting because it was very obviously trying to be feminist and progressive, yet the only thing any of the female characters ever talked about was guys and shallow social climbing. Beatrice was by far my favorite character (maybe I’m biased as a fellow oldest child); she was very fleshed out and her struggles were the most relatable.
This was a great book with an interesting premise, despite all the cheesy or unrealistic parts, and I’m excited to read the next one!
This was a great book with an interesting premise, despite all the cheesy or unrealistic parts, and I’m excited to read the next one!
The Last Ever After by Soman Chainani
Did not finish book. Stopped at 62%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 62%.
I’ll come back to it but right now I’m just not invested. Truly mediocre
It by Stephen King
Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.
I tried hard. I did. But it was the end of the semester, things were busy, and I tried so hard to be invested in the story I just couldn’t. Maybe another time when I’m bored to death and determined to finish it, but at present I just have too many other books I’m actually excited about 😂
Verity by Colleen Hoover
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Wow, just wow! I truly loved this book and read it nonstop until it was finished. The concept was intriguing. The only thing was the world building was slightly confusing/underdeveloped (a map would have been helpful - like is this dystopian earth or a different world?), and the characters could have had more depth. I did care about them but it felt like everyone was more developed than Mare (who was kind of entitled honestly). I didn’t like the love triangle very much and the entire romance thing was unnecessary if you ask me. Yes, it mattered to the plot, but it could have been done differently. It feels like just because the main character is female, she has to be involved in some romance.
Before I read this book I knew there would be a big plot twist/betrayal but I didn’t know who it was. Maven did make the ideal betrayal character, though at the end he didn’t seem to have the greatest motive besides “I’m evil and I want power mwahahah!”
Don’t get me wrong, I LOVED this book and can’t wait to read the rest; it just could have improved on some things.
Don’t get me wrong, I LOVED this book and can’t wait to read the rest; it just could have improved on some things.
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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? No
3.75
Truthfully, I had expected a bit more from this book. The mystery itself was very interesting to read (though it was put on hold a few times in favor of a very random subplot and romance), but it moved way too slowly in the middle. I didn’t like the romance at all; it was awkward, distracting and annoying. It would be much better if the grandsons and Avery were just friends — although I only really liked Xander. The mystery felt predictable but just barely not enough so that you keep reading. Avery was a flat protagonist; she came across as a not-like-other-girls girl instead of a smart teen who wanted to be left alone (which is what the author was going for, I think). Still, the cliffhanger was decent and I will be continuing the series in hopes that it gets more streamlined.