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thedailydiva's reviews
788 reviews
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
3.0
This is a hard book to review.
I’ll start with this book is NOT meant for me.
Picked this up in anticipation of reading Percival Everett’s James, needed to refresh my memory. I remembered nothing of this story, even though I’ve seen cartoon versions, even the Disneyfied adaptation with Courtney B Vance as Jim.
This review is a fresh look. The book, while not banned, has been challenged numerous times and has been removed from libraries and from many school curriculums. One of the reasonings is the use of the word, ‘Ni@@er’! In some more current editions, they’ve edited the use of the word to ‘slave’ or even in some asinine editions to ‘ROBOT’! I have thoughts on this, but I digress…
I have to remind myself that not only is this book meant for younger audiences, it was also ‘allegedly’ meant as satire. Ok. As a young readers book, this book does well at introducing the pre-Civil War era and the possibility of change represented by Huck and his relationship with Jim. As satire, hah, we see how well that’s aged… 😜
In truth, I did not enjoy this book. As I opened with, this book is not for me. And the people it IS for are attempting to ban or revision it. All I kept thinking, I am uninterested in the ‘adventure’ and so much more interested in Jim’s pov! I’m so glad to be able to dive into Everett’s reimagining.
I’ll start with this book is NOT meant for me.
Picked this up in anticipation of reading Percival Everett’s James, needed to refresh my memory. I remembered nothing of this story, even though I’ve seen cartoon versions, even the Disneyfied adaptation with Courtney B Vance as Jim.
This review is a fresh look. The book, while not banned, has been challenged numerous times and has been removed from libraries and from many school curriculums. One of the reasonings is the use of the word, ‘Ni@@er’! In some more current editions, they’ve edited the use of the word to ‘slave’ or even in some asinine editions to ‘ROBOT’! I have thoughts on this, but I digress…
I have to remind myself that not only is this book meant for younger audiences, it was also ‘allegedly’ meant as satire. Ok. As a young readers book, this book does well at introducing the pre-Civil War era and the possibility of change represented by Huck and his relationship with Jim. As satire, hah, we see how well that’s aged… 😜
In truth, I did not enjoy this book. As I opened with, this book is not for me. And the people it IS for are attempting to ban or revision it. All I kept thinking, I am uninterested in the ‘adventure’ and so much more interested in Jim’s pov! I’m so glad to be able to dive into Everett’s reimagining.
Elbert: The Uncaged Mind by Joan Vassar
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? No
5.0
Oh goodness. I really love these stories. They’re historical fictional romance. But as the series progresses and you delve into some of the other characters, it is a sprawling epic!!
The brotherhood of men in these stories just make my heart stumble. The community! The culture! The historical accuracy!!! I am in love! These stories are checking all my boxes. We always read of the brutality of slavery times. Sometimes in the hands of the right author you get the resilience and power. But Vassar is unmatched. You get it all and it’s so satisfying to read.
This story ended a bit oddly for me, but I’m still giving it high marks. I absolutely enjoyed everything else. The last 10% of this story was a cry fest! But the best kinda cry! I love these characters. Looking forward to the last three books. If something happens to any of our core characters, I will be CRUSHED! I love them all. Like family. These books are a pleasant surprise.
The brotherhood of men in these stories just make my heart stumble. The community! The culture! The historical accuracy!!! I am in love! These stories are checking all my boxes. We always read of the brutality of slavery times. Sometimes in the hands of the right author you get the resilience and power. But Vassar is unmatched. You get it all and it’s so satisfying to read.
This story ended a bit oddly for me, but I’m still giving it high marks. I absolutely enjoyed everything else. The last 10% of this story was a cry fest! But the best kinda cry! I love these characters. Looking forward to the last three books. If something happens to any of our core characters, I will be CRUSHED! I love them all. Like family. These books are a pleasant surprise.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
adventurous
challenging
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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
Haven’t read this book since middle school. I take it in so very differently with a whole life lived. This is labeled a great American Classic. I understand why most would think this. It hits me a lil different, but I appreciate Twain’s themes and look on his current cultural surrounding. I’m glad to have reread it as an adult and look forward to how this book and its sequel will accompany my reading of Percival Everett’s James.
BLACK by Joan Vassar
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Yes! All of this, yes!
I found Joan Vassar by chance. I’ve been trying to read new authors in hopes of finding that ‘Diamond in the Rough’! Vassar is that, for me! Her historical fiction romances (of which this is my first) remind me so much of early Beverly Jenkins (this is high praise)! But Vassar’s storytelling has a bit more spice and bite. 🤗
This story has had me in a chokehold. I love ALL of the characters. Even the ones we ‘should’ despise. They are just all written so very well. I was immediately invested. As the story progressed I was shaken by some of the drama. It made me wonder if I could stomach protecting my peace in this manner. Because the character development was so good, it invested me in all of their choices. I rarely speak aloud to my books. I was a full blown additional character in some of these conversations.
The authors ability to weave real life history into her story was top notch. It made her world a living, breathing, additional character. Because I know what’s going on around the central story it upped the ante for me understanding the dangers on the fringe of her story.
I read this as slowly as I could, sometimes causing myself pain because I just wanted to get back to my beloved characters. I am so so happy this is a series, because I NEED to read Elbert’s story! I love him!!!
I am overjoyed to have found this author. I’m excited! I know she will be an author whose entire library I plan to decimate. It’s always so exciting to discover a new author that thrills you! SQUEE!!
I found Joan Vassar by chance. I’ve been trying to read new authors in hopes of finding that ‘Diamond in the Rough’! Vassar is that, for me! Her historical fiction romances (of which this is my first) remind me so much of early Beverly Jenkins (this is high praise)! But Vassar’s storytelling has a bit more spice and bite. 🤗
This story has had me in a chokehold. I love ALL of the characters. Even the ones we ‘should’ despise. They are just all written so very well. I was immediately invested. As the story progressed I was shaken by some of the drama. It made me wonder if I could stomach protecting my peace in this manner. Because the character development was so good, it invested me in all of their choices. I rarely speak aloud to my books. I was a full blown additional character in some of these conversations.
The authors ability to weave real life history into her story was top notch. It made her world a living, breathing, additional character. Because I know what’s going on around the central story it upped the ante for me understanding the dangers on the fringe of her story.
I read this as slowly as I could, sometimes causing myself pain because I just wanted to get back to my beloved characters. I am so so happy this is a series, because I NEED to read Elbert’s story! I love him!!!
I am overjoyed to have found this author. I’m excited! I know she will be an author whose entire library I plan to decimate. It’s always so exciting to discover a new author that thrills you! SQUEE!!
River Sing Me Home by Eleanor Shearer
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Hmmmm…
This is a difficult book to rate.
Is it well written? Yes! Is the storyline compelling? Absolutely, how could you not route for a Mother’s Quest to locate her children? Did I learn anything new about this time period? No. But this is going to be subjective. I read a lot of slave stories. It happens to be a favorite genre as I’ve personally searched for answers to my ancestral timeline. So reading this book, while interesting, didn’t teach me anything new.
Books, like any art, are subjective. I think my biggest disconnect was with the characters. Unfortunately, the main character Rachel, lacked depth or any believable likability other than my natural pathos toward a suffering Black Woman on a noble search for her family and legacy. But that yearning has lil to do with the character and more to do with my endearment to any suffering maternal figure. That emotion comes from me, not the character introduced on the page, if that makes sense.
I enjoyed the story, as it progressed. The overall story arch finally picking up and my yearning for the characters happy ending. The pace of the story was slow and I found myself in some spots a lil bored. Wanting more from the story than the carefully crafted convenience. Everything happened almost too neatly for the time period presented. Especially with my knowledge of its relentless brutality, specifically in the Caribbean Slave Trade.
This one just didn’t hit home for me. Sadly.
This is a difficult book to rate.
Is it well written? Yes! Is the storyline compelling? Absolutely, how could you not route for a Mother’s Quest to locate her children? Did I learn anything new about this time period? No. But this is going to be subjective. I read a lot of slave stories. It happens to be a favorite genre as I’ve personally searched for answers to my ancestral timeline. So reading this book, while interesting, didn’t teach me anything new.
Books, like any art, are subjective. I think my biggest disconnect was with the characters. Unfortunately, the main character Rachel, lacked depth or any believable likability other than my natural pathos toward a suffering Black Woman on a noble search for her family and legacy. But that yearning has lil to do with the character and more to do with my endearment to any suffering maternal figure. That emotion comes from me, not the character introduced on the page, if that makes sense.
I enjoyed the story, as it progressed. The overall story arch finally picking up and my yearning for the characters happy ending. The pace of the story was slow and I found myself in some spots a lil bored. Wanting more from the story than the carefully crafted convenience. Everything happened almost too neatly for the time period presented. Especially with my knowledge of its relentless brutality, specifically in the Caribbean Slave Trade.
This one just didn’t hit home for me. Sadly.
Fearless Love by Donnia Marie
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
Le sigh…
I decided against sharing my laundry list of reasons this book is NOT for me! I’m just writing this note to myself to not read anything else from this author. She is not for you! At all! Avoid at all costs. You will hate it. You have been warned.
In my quest to try new authors and stories, to find ones that I love, I know I’ll hafta go through quite a few that don’t meet the mark. And some unfortunate ones that I should have DNFd a long time ago.
You have been warned!!!
Sucks that I’m starting BHM this way… 🤦🏽♀️
I decided against sharing my laundry list of reasons this book is NOT for me! I’m just writing this note to myself to not read anything else from this author. She is not for you! At all! Avoid at all costs. You will hate it. You have been warned.
In my quest to try new authors and stories, to find ones that I love, I know I’ll hafta go through quite a few that don’t meet the mark. And some unfortunate ones that I should have DNFd a long time ago.
You have been warned!!!
Sucks that I’m starting BHM this way… 🤦🏽♀️
Hooked by Emily McIntire
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
3 middle of the road stars…
Pros:
- I will always rout for the villain. I love a wounded hero. I think villains make better main characters.
- Enjoyed the characters and their parallels to the original story.
- The mystery was simple but really good.
- Great cast of side characters.
Cons:
- Morally ambiguous MMCf just didn’t work. I really didn’t like her version of Hook. Meh. I didn’t believe him.
- Tried to hard to sell this evil persona. Book, in general, felt like forced dark erotica.
- There’s a thin line between erotically dark bad boys and non-redemptive psychopaths. This book was more of the latter and just not well written. Meh.
- FMC was far too forgiving and simply weak. Some of her reactions and forgivings were just odd.
I’m willing to give the rest of the series a try. I’ll try one more, but my hopes aren’t high. If it’s more of the same then this author just isn’t for me.
Pros:
- I will always rout for the villain. I love a wounded hero. I think villains make better main characters.
- Enjoyed the characters and their parallels to the original story.
- The mystery was simple but really good.
- Great cast of side characters.
Cons:
- Morally ambiguous MMCf just didn’t work. I really didn’t like her version of Hook. Meh. I didn’t believe him.
- Tried to hard to sell this evil persona. Book, in general, felt like forced dark erotica.
- There’s a thin line between erotically dark bad boys and non-redemptive psychopaths. This book was more of the latter and just not well written. Meh.
- FMC was far too forgiving and simply weak. Some of her reactions and forgivings were just odd.
I’m willing to give the rest of the series a try. I’ll try one more, but my hopes aren’t high. If it’s more of the same then this author just isn’t for me.
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
2.5
Oh man… ☹️
First, it must be super stressful in trying to write a series, when the first two books were bestsellers and hit it out of the park (for most), to try to eek out another amazing story. Ya gotta know when your story has reached its zenith. The plot of this story is just too thin. I do not see how she is stretching this into a FOURTH book. Unfortunately I was under the assumption that this was to be a trilogy!?! So lo and behold this book was almost useless filler. Yikes!
I felt as if the characters just ran around her world in circles for 700+ pages. Going hither and thither, letting the reader see more of Navarre, its isles, and politics; but for why?!? What happened over the course of those 400+ pages our MCs are traipsing isle to isle? Absolutely NOTHING!
I was so bored. And though super tempted to skim, I painstakingly read every redundant passage. It was like copy and paste in each new location. 😖
Lastly, if Violet continued to wax on and on about how ‘hot’ Xanax was I was gonna rip the pages out. Their angsty, ADHD, awkwardly trying to be intense love scenes were just awful. These scenes just didn’t feel authentic! Who has sex like that?!? I don’t want it. Lmao. Yuck! I’m not sure if I’m unsatisfied by the authors style of writing intense, ‘passionate’ love scenes, or if it being purposefully done to indicate the characters youth and immaturity? Both options are poor. Just not for me. I laughed aloud at some of her descriptions. I’d quote some here, but no. Just bad.
I love this series! This was a shot missed. I’m hopeful she can bring it back in her fourth installment. And I REALLY hope that is the final book. Any more, and I’m out! ✌🏽
First, it must be super stressful in trying to write a series, when the first two books were bestsellers and hit it out of the park (for most), to try to eek out another amazing story. Ya gotta know when your story has reached its zenith. The plot of this story is just too thin. I do not see how she is stretching this into a FOURTH book. Unfortunately I was under the assumption that this was to be a trilogy!?! So lo and behold this book was almost useless filler. Yikes!
I felt as if the characters just ran around her world in circles for 700+ pages. Going hither and thither, letting the reader see more of Navarre, its isles, and politics; but for why?!? What happened over the course of those 400+ pages our MCs are traipsing isle to isle? Absolutely NOTHING!
I was so bored. And though super tempted to skim, I painstakingly read every redundant passage. It was like copy and paste in each new location. 😖
Lastly, if Violet continued to wax on and on about how ‘hot’ Xanax was I was gonna rip the pages out. Their angsty, ADHD, awkwardly trying to be intense love scenes were just awful. These scenes just didn’t feel authentic! Who has sex like that?!? I don’t want it. Lmao. Yuck! I’m not sure if I’m unsatisfied by the authors style of writing intense, ‘passionate’ love scenes, or if it being purposefully done to indicate the characters youth and immaturity? Both options are poor. Just not for me. I laughed aloud at some of her descriptions. I’d quote some here, but no. Just bad.
I love this series! This was a shot missed. I’m hopeful she can bring it back in her fourth installment. And I REALLY hope that is the final book. Any more, and I’m out! ✌🏽
Mason Neiman: An African American Romance by Jatoria C.
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0