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venusinlove's reviews
330 reviews
Penance by Eliza Clark
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
4.75
i finished this book almost a week ago and i still can't find the energy to write my review.
i swear, i loved it! it was so freakishly well written and the story was very intriguing. there wasn't a single dull moment in the book, I loved that. i loved the back story of each of the girls, that was very needed. their pasts honestly were extremely traumatic which makes a lot of sense meaning that it explains why they did that (weak/fucked up mentality and all). i do not mean to be cruel, but it felt that way. Among all of the stories about the girls and their relatives/friends, i found Dolly's one the most boring if that makes sense? i mean after reading about Violet'sbasement in the sims(which btw was so fucked up) and her water slide incident , i think that was the most "what the fuck" part in their pasts, or at least to me.
the book was hella good. i don't know why i would not give it 5*, i really liked it. but that's my current opinion. i think i'll spend a lot of time thinking about it and eventually i'll re-read it. <3 so good. <3
i swear, i loved it! it was so freakishly well written and the story was very intriguing. there wasn't a single dull moment in the book, I loved that. i loved the back story of each of the girls, that was very needed. their pasts honestly were extremely traumatic which makes a lot of sense meaning that it explains why they did that (weak/fucked up mentality and all). i do not mean to be cruel, but it felt that way. Among all of the stories about the girls and their relatives/friends, i found Dolly's one the most boring if that makes sense? i mean after reading about Violet's
the book was hella good. i don't know why i would not give it 5*, i really liked it. but that's my current opinion. i think i'll spend a lot of time thinking about it and eventually i'll re-read it. <3 so good. <3
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
ahhh, that was very sweet! i think that was my first book with non-binary characters being so normalized which it really refreshing honestly! it's a rare thing to see. another thing that i loved about this book was the theme about not knowing what your future holds, not knowing what you want to do in said future. these things are almost every day on my mind and reading about other people (be it, fictional or not) being anxious about it was reassuring. :)
I'm not sure if i'll start the other book but this one was nice and hella cool! for a sci-fi book, i'd give it a 5/5 plainly because it's a rare sight to see a happy and optimistic one.
I'm not sure if i'll start the other book but this one was nice and hella cool! for a sci-fi book, i'd give it a 5/5 plainly because it's a rare sight to see a happy and optimistic one.
Concerning My Daughter by Kim Hye-Jin
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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
3.25
I feel like there's been a theme in the most Asian lit that I've read with the whole generational differences. that, being a theme that i usually love, didn't quite budge my heart to that extent in this one. maybe it's because i don't have problems with my mom accepting my sexuality and we're on excellent terms in general. she's my best bud and i love her so these topics were kind of absent to me. also the missing dad part... not that i don't relate to the book or sympathize with it but i expected more out of it?
i liked that the book's POV was from the mother's, that was different to me. usually when there is a dysfunctional family most authors use the child as the protagonist so it was nice to see a different perspective on the whole thing.
sadly, the ending was also not that great and it made the book feel a bit unfinished. :(
i liked that the book's POV was from the mother's, that was different to me. usually when there is a
sadly, the ending was also not that great and it made the book feel a bit unfinished. :(
Иначе казано: стихотворения by Иванка Могилска
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Благозвучни стихове прочетени по чудесен начин, но не ме накараха да почувствам почти нищо. :(
Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I'd say my start in the year 2024 was pretty bad. i thought i'd like this book a lot. it sounded pretty nice too. i mean, a story about the inventor of the atomic bomb?! i would have loved it if that was the plot. sadly, i think the plot itself lost it's meaning somewhere after the first third of the book. it was chaotic and all over the place and i don't think i grasped the meaning of the book so yeah... quite disappointing. i was even listening it because my mind couldn't keep up with all the bull-crap it included. and let's not forget the overuse of the word "midget". completely unnecessary.
nevertheless, it was a gift from my brother and i wanted to read it for him. :)
the lesson here was: don't trust the blurb.
nevertheless, it was a gift from my brother and i wanted to read it for him. :)
the lesson here was: don't trust the blurb.
Banyan Moon by Thao Thai
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
when i first picked up this book i liked the whole multigenerational family saga that was going on. i loved the povs from Ann, her mother and her grandmother - that was nice to see. sadly it was presented poorly. the story was all over the place, there weren't really any "historical" parts in the book (and i even checked if it was historical fiction), i really needed more of that "past life" part.
another thing i didn't quite like was how unforgiving everyone in this book was! like there was no communication and working through things to better yourself. i understand that in most asian cultures it's like that but i highly doubt that it's thaaaat bad. i mean... even Ann who was raised in America should have some sense of being more forgiving (i mean that as a cultural difference) and she was probably worse than her mother.
towards the end, the book started to feel more like a YA rather than something serious that i should take in. so much so that i wasn't enjoying it anymore (that's due to the flaws of the characters and my last point of them being practically mean to their relatives, friends and people they don't even know).
the writing was alright, i guess. some phrases affected me, as i have family issues too, and that was nice to hear. still, it felt very cliche and i couldn't get rid of that feeling that this was a plain YA.
since i both read the e-book and listened to the audiobook i want to add that i do not know who the woman who voiced Ann is but she is the sole reason i would give this book an even lower rating (I'm so sorry). i do not mean to be rude but her whole reading was basically whispering and it kind of annoyed the heck out of me. i couldn't even get my volume up a notch because all the "sh" sounds were bugging my ears.
oh, i also have no idea who the fire of the house started or how the book ended overall, also i do not remember what happened to that man on the beach who was flirting with Ann's mother. this is on me, my attention span got the best out of me and i lost it all.
the cover is stunning regardless.
p.s. this book very much reminds me of Seven Days In June where the synopsis sounded great but the way both of them were portrayed was not the best. got me hyped for nothing i feel bad for being let down like that. sorry.
another thing i didn't quite like was how unforgiving everyone in this book was! like there was no communication and working through things to better yourself. i understand that in most asian cultures it's like that but i highly doubt that it's thaaaat bad. i mean... even Ann who was raised in America should have some sense of being more forgiving (i mean that as a cultural difference) and she was probably worse than her mother.
towards the end, the book started to feel more like a YA rather than something serious that i should take in. so much so that i wasn't enjoying it anymore (that's due to the flaws of the characters and my last point of them being practically mean to their relatives, friends and people they don't even know).
the writing was alright, i guess. some phrases affected me, as i have family issues too, and that was nice to hear. still, it felt very cliche and i couldn't get rid of that feeling that this was a plain YA.
since i both read the e-book and listened to the audiobook i want to add that i do not know who the woman who voiced Ann is but she is the sole reason i would give this book an even lower rating (I'm so sorry). i do not mean to be rude but her whole reading was basically whispering and it kind of annoyed the heck out of me. i couldn't even get my volume up a notch because all the "sh" sounds were bugging my ears.
the cover is stunning regardless.
p.s. this book very much reminds me of Seven Days In June where the synopsis sounded great but the way both of them were portrayed was not the best. got me hyped for nothing i feel bad for being let down like that. sorry.
Sunburn by Chloe Michelle Howarth
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.75
this book hit home for me. like, really hard. i feel like lucy has been living my life? i cannot explain it but it's so similar but also so different. and i miss my susannah.
it's so strange how easy this book read. it felt too long but also it went by very fast. the writing was pretty neat too, i liked how it was as if i was reading lucy's diary.
i think this is my first *serious* book about lesbians that is non YA or some sh*t like that and it was great! also a debut? wow. i seriously appreciated that there was no smut in it, nothing vulgar, just feelings and that was absolutely enough. we need more such books. i related to most of the book and i don't know how i feel about that because most of the situations were sad. but I'm just another queer person who hasn't moved on but is with somebody and it's so weird to see myself in a book like that! I've related to some books before in many different ways but this almost feels too personal? ik, ik, i don't have the happy ending that the two girls had , but! it was a nice little dream in my imagination. god bless people like martin btw! i want a friend like him.
i don't know why but i cannot give this book exactly 5*. something was missing... but 4,5* is still good! :) nice book for queer people. <3
Edit: I'm giving the book 0,25 points more because i had a dream of my love and i miss them. I know it's because of this book and i am thankful for it although it hurts like hell.
it's so strange how easy this book read. it felt too long but also it went by very fast. the writing was pretty neat too, i liked how it was as if i was reading lucy's diary.
i think this is my first *serious* book about lesbians that is non YA or some sh*t like that and it was great! also a debut? wow. i seriously appreciated that there was no smut in it, nothing vulgar, just feelings and that was absolutely enough. we need more such books. i related to most of the book and i don't know how i feel about that because most of the situations were sad. but I'm just another queer person who hasn't moved on but is with somebody and it's so weird to see myself in a book like that! I've related to some books before in many different ways but this almost feels too personal? ik, ik, i don't have
i don't know why but i cannot give this book exactly 5*. something was missing... but 4,5* is still good! :) nice book for queer people. <3
Edit: I'm giving the book 0,25 points more because i had a dream of my love and i miss them. I know it's because of this book and i am thankful for it although it hurts like hell.
The Man Who Planted Trees: One of the most pressing stories of our time by Jean Giono
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
ahhhh, such a nice little read! i really wish it was based on a real story in a way, seeing how our world or turning out to be.
maybe one day i'll be the person who plants that many trees. :)
maybe one day i'll be the person who plants that many trees. :)
Остайница by Рене Карабаш, Петя Абаджиева
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Изключително съм изненадана от тази книга! Въобще не очаквах подобнаистория, камо ли завършек. Всеки път, когато срещна по някакъв много ниш начин вкарани лгбти+ елементи в българска книга оставам много изненадана, защото смятам, че добре познавам литературата ни и смея да кажа, че подобни теми са все още табу. Това е може би третата книга с подобна тематика и е интересно колко не сенатрапва и бие на очи. Това го казвам във връзка с манталитета, който ние като народ имаме спрямо "различните" хора - че се натрапват, били мнего налагащи. А всъщност в тази история, връзката между Дана и Бекиа се усети изключително натурална и естествена. Чак беше неочаквано за мен.
Цялата развръзка между брата и сестрата също беше от изключително значение за мен. Усетих я лично. Не мога да си представя ако ми се наложи дабележа брат си, моята кръв, със знка на смъртта.
Книгата бе уникална. Със сигурност изисква втори прочит, ако не и трети след време.
Цялата развръзка между брата и сестрата също беше от изключително значение за мен. Усетих я лично. Не мога да си представя ако ми се наложи да
Книгата бе уникална. Със сигурност изисква втори прочит, ако не и трети след време.
Tales from the Café by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
the stories were sweet, i teared up on some of them. as good as they were though i think the first book was a bit better. at some point the stories start to get a little repetitive and they start to mix up in my head. also, idk why but the main characters in the cafe really got tangled for me. like the relationship links and all, I'm sorry. maybe the adhd got to me and i just couldn't concentrate on their overall description while listening? but i paid attention, i swear!
i honestly don't know how to explain this but the stories read like anime. like, this literally played like an anime in my head, it was so funny. and the writing style is the same. i'd say I've read a few Japanese books and I'm somewhat familiar with their style and this one feels different. not in a bad way, just different. it's a bit too happy and positive for me. i think it would have been nice if they weren't all such heartwarming stories. maybe then it would be a whole lot more remembering, like all of it. i needed something really hard and saddening to punch me in my heart and the closest i got was the son and the mom story which, oh my god! got me crying at the bus station on my way home from work. i loved it because it felt really close to my heart and i'd also would like to go back and talk to my mum about so many things. i'd go back every day even.
a thing i like about these series is that in a way everybody can relate, there is a story for so many situations that it's like trying to find your own. you try to be the person who goes back or goes to the future and it's magical when you feel connected in that way to the story. it's a v special feeling and I'm thankful for finding myself in a book. :)
i honestly don't know how to explain this but the stories read like anime. like, this literally played like an anime in my head, it was so funny. and the writing style is the same. i'd say I've read a few Japanese books and I'm somewhat familiar with their style and this one feels different. not in a bad way, just different. it's a bit too happy and positive for me. i think it would have been nice if they weren't all such heartwarming stories. maybe then it would be a whole lot more remembering, like all of it. i needed something really hard and saddening to punch me in my heart and the closest i got was the son and the mom story which, oh my god! got me crying at the bus station on my way home from work. i loved it because it felt really close to my heart and i'd also would like to go back and talk to my mum about so many things. i'd go back every day even.
a thing i like about these series is that in a way everybody can relate, there is a story for so many situations that it's like trying to find your own. you try to be the person who goes back or goes to the future and it's magical when you feel connected in that way to the story. it's a v special feeling and I'm thankful for finding myself in a book. :)