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vel629vet's reviews
1015 reviews
The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-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
3.0
3 stars is pretty generous. Maybe the regency romance genre isn’t for me because I found this incredibly dull. The Netflix show gave this story life, and it was only in picturing the characters from the show was I able to power through this story.
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
A truly amazing and haunting story that is really lingering with me and definitely gave me one night of creepy dreams. I would have loved to study this book in a creative writing or literature class - the symbolism and imagery is immaculate. I thought the big reveal felt a little too simple, or maybe the right word is easy? Not sure, but there were some missed opportunities I think the explore some more of the horror after the reveal happens.
Would recommend!
Would recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Racism, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Cannibalism and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.75
This book is like the biggest and best sneeze. The kind that builds up and up and up until you finally let it out and it gives you the biggest release and arms full of goosebumps.
Terrible analogy? In any case, I was so frustrated and antsy throughout the book because I just wanted to KNOW what was going to happen! Moriarty sure knows how to make you stick around for a story... When we finally got to the end it was so satisfying and gratifying, even though I had figured it out (mostly) by the time I got there. I loved the connections between the women and how the story focused on them individually and on their relationships. I definitely want to read more by Moriarty!
Terrible analogy? In any case, I was so frustrated and antsy throughout the book because I just wanted to KNOW what was going to happen! Moriarty sure knows how to make you stick around for a story... When we finally got to the end it was so satisfying and gratifying, even though I had figured it out (mostly) by the time I got there. I loved the connections between the women and how the story focused on them individually and on their relationships. I definitely want to read more by Moriarty!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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? It's complicated
5.0
My favorite Emily Henry book yet. Nora is proud of who she is, and doesn't for one second try to change who she is or what she loves for anyone. There are many moments of gorgeous prose, especially toward the end. Fun concept for a story, and really well done. Sweet, loving, and heartfelt.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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? Yes
5.0
I adored this book. It is so charming and funny and heartfelt and unrelentingly British. There were just enough quirky references that fit into my personal zeitgeist. A few outdated ones, but I loved it all the same. Highly, highly recommend. The dialogue is A+++++
The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski
Listened to on Audible.
Took me a bit to get used to the narrator (audiobook) and her strange use of accents. Why did Kestrel have an accent when she was the main character and Arin did not, other than I suppose she was part of the foreigners that conquered Arin's home.
I appreciated how different Kestrel was than your typical YA adventure heroine - not good at combat, not interested in changing the world... but still had the typical beauty.
I felt that Arin's dynamic changes were a bit abrupt around 2/3 of the way through.
Overall I enjoyed the story and will go on to read book 2. I was impressed by Rutkoski's prose at times and while I don't feel incredibly attached to any of the characters, I do think the author is a good storyteller, and doesn't fall into too many YA tropes.
adventurous
tense
medium-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? No
4.0
Listened to on Audible.
Took me a bit to get used to the narrator (audiobook) and her strange use of accents. Why did Kestrel have an accent when she was the main character and Arin did not, other than I suppose she was part of the foreigners that conquered Arin's home.
I appreciated how different Kestrel was than your typical YA adventure heroine - not good at combat, not interested in changing the world... but still had the typical beauty.
I felt that Arin's dynamic changes were a bit abrupt around 2/3 of the way through.
Overall I enjoyed the story and will go on to read book 2. I was impressed by Rutkoski's prose at times and while I don't feel incredibly attached to any of the characters, I do think the author is a good storyteller, and doesn't fall into too many YA tropes.
House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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
4.5
Reread January/Feb 2024: 4.5 stars. A few slower paced moments - sometimes I wonder if adding all of the POVs makes the plot move a bit more sluggish. But everything I said in original review is still true - SJM is a mastermind.
First read June 2022: 5 stars. My mind has been absolutely blown. I of course got the SJM hype after finishing TOG and ACOTAR, but this book (especially the ending) took her to the next level for me and she has officially become one of my all time favorite authors. How is all of this in her brain? How does she stay 20 steps ahead of us? How does she keep us guessing the entire book?
This is not the most coherent review but suffice it to say the story is expertly done and she knows how to embrace 'no minor characters' to a T. I cannot wait to see what she does next.
First read June 2022: 5 stars. My mind has been absolutely blown. I of course got the SJM hype after finishing TOG and ACOTAR, but this book (especially the ending) took her to the next level for me and she has officially become one of my all time favorite authors. How is all of this in her brain? How does she stay 20 steps ahead of us? How does she keep us guessing the entire book?
This is not the most coherent review but suffice it to say the story is expertly done and she knows how to embrace 'no minor characters' to a T. I cannot wait to see what she does next.
Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.0
This was a 5 star book for the first two thirds, then it really dropped off for me. It felt like every single one of Fox's chapters was the exact. same. thing. His internal musings and drama and hanging out with Hannah, then a chapter of Hannah actually doing stuff. It really dragged on toward the end and took way too long for them to actually get together in my opinion.
But the spice was excellent, once it happened. I wanted to love this one as much as It Happened One Summer. Unfortunately it just didn't hit the same!
But the spice was excellent, once it happened. I wanted to love this one as much as It Happened One Summer. Unfortunately it just didn't hit the same!
The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was not romance. It was women’s lit. It was excellently written, with her most developed main character to date, but it was heartbreaking and depressing. Unfortunately just not at all what I was signing up for in this series that has been insightful but fun so far. I do think this is an important story about autism and ableism, but it just wasn’t romance. I think putting it as the 3rd in this romance series honestly did the story injustice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Captain Marvel: Carol Danvers - The Ms. Marvel Years Vol. 3 by Pat Olliffe, Sana Takeda, Sergio Ariño, Rebekah Isaacs, Brian Reed
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
3.0
So close to being great. I LOVED how Carol came back to life and reunited her two selves, and what she discovered and came to terms with along the way.
Then the Mystique ending was just a hot mess. Really disappointing ending to this story, but thank god Kelly Sue Deconnick takes over from here...
Then the Mystique ending was just a hot mess. Really disappointing ending to this story, but thank god Kelly Sue Deconnick takes over from here...