baknata's reviews
110 reviews

The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan

adventurous emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

A fun sequel that allows the audience to see Percy in a different dynamic. When his best friend is in trouble, he has to team up with his half-brother and Annabeth to save him. The different encounters they face during this quest are so fun and diverse. Seeing Percy have to overcome some internal biases and confront some things about himself is an important part of his journey. Not to mention, the friendship between Percy and Annabeth is further solidified and developed in this book. Percy learns about some of Annabeth's past and her deepest desires. Overall, no need to say it, but goodness what a great series. 

Heartstopper Volume 1 by Alice Oseman

emotional hopeful fast-paced

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

5.0

I thought that this would be one of those series that was overhyped, but it deserves all the hype that it has gotten. What a wonderful cast of characters and a heartwarming love story. I love the development of the friendship and the dynamics between all the characters. If you haven't read this yet, take this as your sign to do so. 

Strange Practice by Vivian Shaw

adventurous lighthearted

• 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

3.5

This book was carried by a charismatic cast of characters. While the plot was nothing special, the characters were all loveable and fantastical. I enjoyed the diversity of spooky beings, as well as the inclusion of different types of vampires. If you love all types of monsters and ghouls, this is a fun exploration of how they might interact in our society. Granted, they are a hidden group, seeing them in a typical "modern day" setting is so fun. I loved the character relationships and the development as the story went on was heartwarming. Overall, nothing life-changing, but a fun read. 

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

emotional reflective

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

While the concept of this book intrigued me, I was almost immediately disappointed with the execution. I think the overarching plot was interesting, and the world-building was great. My main issue with this book was the main character and the main message of the book. The main character is going through a lot of mental health issues and it feels like the book's message is "just be happy". Like it isn't outright, but that's basically what I got from it. The main character is given the opportunity to change key choices in her life and live those lives for as long as she wants. The problem is, it takes far too much time for her to realize that the point is it isn't these regrets that made her sad, it's that she was mentally unwell. It was clear from the beginning that the message was just to make the best of the situation you are in and not to let past regrets stop you from pursuing what you want. It's a really basic concept and a lackluster execution. I also hated the way that the people in her life interacted with her and it bothered me that so much of the story was spent trying to appease them. Overall, not my cup of tea.

Fantastic Tales of Nothing by Fanny Rodriguez, Alejandra Green

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

5.0

I loved all the characters in this book and the art style was gorgeous!

The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake

adventurous emotional tense 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

4.0

Nimona by ND Stevenson

adventurous emotional inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

What a fun and engaging story that is beautifully told and illustrated. 

Redemptor by Jordan Ifueko

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-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

Wow! I so loved Raybearer when I read it (how could you not) and was anticipating Redemptor ever since. It is always difficult to read a sequel when the first book was so phenomenal, because the expectations can easily be missed, which is heartbreaking. This book totally blew it out of the water. It took the world and stories that were built in the first book and lovingly brought them through to the conclusion. This book explored some heavy topics with care and consideration, giving us characters that struggled and made mistakes, but strived to help others. There were many parts of this book that brought tears to my eyes, whether for good or bad reasons, and truly the entire book moved me. I felt a kinship with Tarisai as she ached to do more good in the world, often feeling misunderstood by her loved ones who weren't as on fire as she was. I loved the flow of the story and the way that the new characters were so gently folded in to the dynamic of the first book. Overall, if you enjoyed the first book this is a must read and a perfect example of how a sequel should be.

The Cat Who Saved Books by Sōsuke Natsukawa

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I think this book is okay. The concept seems cute and fun, the executions was a little lack luster for me. My favorite character was the sassy tabby cat, who reminded me so much of my cat. The main character is processing the loss of his grandfather, who was his caretaker and role model. The grandfather owned a bookstore and inspired a love for books in our main character. While the sentiment of most of the book was great, some of the execution was not it. The main character is lead through various labyrinths by the tabby cat to save books being abused. Most of the circumstances of the labyrinths were a bit overblown and seemed extraneous to solely teach the main character that he does in fact love books and should not close the bookstore. Overall, this book was cute and a quick read but not anything to write home about.

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

adventurous emotional inspiring mysterious tense 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? No

5.0

I went into this book without much context. I had read another book by the same author but didn't know anything about this book in particular. I figured I'd give it a shot and I am so glad I did. This book is told through various narratives that weave together to tell one story. This was such an appropriate way to tell this story and it added a vital element to it. This book is about stories, and telling it through those stories brings the reader into the book and into the story itself. This book gave me that warm buzzing feeling that you get reading your first favorite book as a kid, the book that sparks a love of reading and inspires you to read everything you can get your hands on. 
While the story was impactful and almost a character in and of itself, the shining star of this book for me were the characters. I loved almost all the characters. Even the antagonist was the type of character where the path that lead them to their position is understandable and you can even see how a couple of different decisions from our main character would put him on the same side as the antagonist. Each character is a deep, juicy, understandable, and realistic person. Even better, each character had a direct and important impact on the story at large. It allows us to really see how each choice impacts not only the individual stories of each person, but also the story at large. 
Finally, the world that Morgenstern creates is the perfect mix of fantastical and realistic. She creates a world within our world that is complex and is tangled up in all of these stories which breathe life into the place. The mix of genre of not only the various narratives but also the world itself creates an intricate world that would inspire any lover of reading. 
While this is a complex book that takes a bit of brain power to make your way through, I couldn't recommend this book enough. I can't wait to reread this book and find all the new elements I missed and get a whole new story. Overall, please read this book!