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mariakureads's reviews
1029 reviews
You, Again by Kate Goldbeck
funny
lighthearted
medium-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? Yes
3.5
I knew this was Reylo coded early on.
Everything to me was reading as them just in a modern AU setting and I couldn't not stop seeing them or the rest of the book cast as various Star Wars characters just to find out that this did indeed did start off as SW fanfiction, so I feel validated ๐๐
Both MCs start on the wrong foot and are sort of unlikeable from the beginning which I enjoyed as it's a different set of pace but Ari comes off as a bisexual commitment-phobe yet oversexualized brat that is trying to adult while Josh is a rose colored glasses guy wanting easy love and not understanding why he's just not getting it with his surly and dramatic attitude.
I definitely enjoyed the side characters, how they all managed to stay friends with Ari is questionable to me because of how she read on page.
I think if I had read this as the original SW fanfiction, a lot of Ari and Josh would make a lot more sense because those back stories are already established and describe a lot about them but in this case, the author didn't go into depth to create it early on but rather over various time jumps redirected me, the reader, to gloss it over and see them at those given moments of time which can create the allusion of a character's growth or fallback.
That being said, whoever keeps promoting this as a gender bent 'When Harry Met Sally' needs to stop because it's not. The dialogue can be smart, ther 's a few good moments, and it's a nice homage but definitely not Ephron from what I read, that's my opinion.
Everything to me was reading as them just in a modern AU setting and I couldn't not stop seeing them or the rest of the book cast as various Star Wars characters just to find out that this did indeed did start off as SW fanfiction, so I feel validated ๐๐
Both MCs start on the wrong foot and are sort of unlikeable from the beginning which I enjoyed as it's a different set of pace but Ari comes off as a bisexual commitment-phobe yet oversexualized brat that is trying to adult while Josh is a rose colored glasses guy wanting easy love and not understanding why he's just not getting it with his surly and dramatic attitude.
I definitely enjoyed the side characters, how they all managed to stay friends with Ari is questionable to me because of how she read on page.
I think if I had read this as the original SW fanfiction, a lot of Ari and Josh would make a lot more sense because those back stories are already established and describe a lot about them but in this case, the author didn't go into depth to create it early on but rather over various time jumps redirected me, the reader, to gloss it over and see them at those given moments of time which can create the allusion of a character's growth or fallback.
That being said, whoever keeps promoting this as a gender bent 'When Harry Met Sally' needs to stop because it's not. The dialogue can be smart, ther 's a few good moments, and it's a nice homage but definitely not Ephron from what I read, that's my opinion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship
Moderate: Drug use and Sexual content
Married to the Mountain Man by Mia Brody
fast-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? It's complicated
2.5
Bought this from a social teaser and I'm not going to lie based off of it, I was really excited to read it.
At 100 pages, the book was too short for all the tropes it tried to fit in and make work, creating a rushed and plot whole filled read. There's potential for so much more here and I'm a bit saddened by the idea of the potential because it's pretty much right there.
The characters have some backstory and traits but we, the readers, don't get too much of any of them before the plot forces its way in so not much opportunity for the two MC's to bond outside of instalove and stay there.
All in all, I was looking for what the teaser teased me with so I might not continue the series myself.
At 100 pages, the book was too short for all the tropes it tried to fit in and make work, creating a rushed and plot whole filled read. There's potential for so much more here and I'm a bit saddened by the idea of the potential because it's pretty much right there.
The characters have some backstory and traits but we, the readers, don't get too much of any of them before the plot forces its way in so not much opportunity for the two MC's to bond outside of instalove and stay there.
All in all, I was looking for what the teaser teased me with so I might not continue the series myself.
FANGS, Volume 3 by Billy Balibally
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I like that this volume explained some questions I had from the other two but something about the pacing of it, makes me think there could be more but not so centered around En and Ichii?, but I could be wrong.
The build up of Megi from the last volume to this one was interesting but it also feels flat considering his monologuing to En about his past to have the volume end the way it did. So I'm hoping for more on his character but we'll see; the volume ended with an open ending...
The other thing that kept bugging me was the En kept being either described or seen as "new" or "pure", kind of highlighting that virginal trope and for some reason, yes it was in the other two, this time around it just rubbed me the wrong way, that like I said, kept bugging me but all in all this was a solid volume for the series.
The build up of Megi from the last volume to this one was interesting but it also feels flat considering his monologuing to En about his past to have the volume end the way it did. So I'm hoping for more on his character but we'll see; the volume ended with an open ending...
The other thing that kept bugging me was the En kept being either described or seen as "new" or "pure", kind of highlighting that virginal trope and for some reason, yes it was in the other two, this time around it just rubbed me the wrong way, that like I said, kept bugging me but all in all this was a solid volume for the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Blood
Moderate: Murder
You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.5
I didn't expect to enjoy this one as much as I did, much less have it take me back to High School and give me all sorts of emotions like this did.
I went through a gamut of emotions reading this and a lot because it reminded me so much of different moments in my senior year of high school that i had to pause at different moments to reflect my own past, move on, and get back to reading about Liz. That's a rare talent in an author - where i, the reader, can connect so much with a character, so kudos to Johnson for accomplishing that feat.
The overall story was fun! It was so much fun to read about a high school prom, the ups and downs of that age, the changes in relationships, the growing apart and yet forming new relationships, the borderline of being a kid and yet learning to grow still. The author did a great job capturing a lot of that high school experience with a touch of young love and hope.
I went through a gamut of emotions reading this and a lot because it reminded me so much of different moments in my senior year of high school that i had to pause at different moments to reflect my own past, move on, and get back to reading about Liz. That's a rare talent in an author - where i, the reader, can connect so much with a character, so kudos to Johnson for accomplishing that feat.
The overall story was fun! It was so much fun to read about a high school prom, the ups and downs of that age, the changes in relationships, the growing apart and yet forming new relationships, the borderline of being a kid and yet learning to grow still. The author did a great job capturing a lot of that high school experience with a touch of young love and hope.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Racism
Moderate: Bullying, Chronic illness, and Death of parent
Steel of the Celestial Shadows, Vol. 5 by Daruma Matsuura
adventurous
tense
slow-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
4.0
I really enjoyed this volume.
Getting the rest of Haratake's backstory and seeing the origin of the character is is today was so good. Truly a great way to tell and drive the story as we circle back to present day and our down and out samurai coming to terms with the fact that greater things are at risk while showcasing his endeavouring love to his wife.
I can't wait to see where the next volume goes from here as we got some new and very interesting characters that feel key for the next part of the story.
Getting the rest of Haratake's backstory and seeing the origin of the character is is today was so good. Truly a great way to tell and drive the story as we circle back to present day and our down and out samurai coming to terms with the fact that greater things are at risk while showcasing his endeavouring love to his wife.
I can't wait to see where the next volume goes from here as we got some new and very interesting characters that feel key for the next part of the story.
Long Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennan
adventurous
dark
funny
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? Yes
4.0
This was absolutely fun!
It was pretty much what I was hoping for as I do love it when villains have their moments and this book gave me so many great villainous moments.
Normally I'm not into the isekai genre in general so I probably could have done without it but everything else .... Was just so much fun- the with, satire, despair, snark, hope, and characterizations were what I didn't know I was looking for till I started reading it.
I fell for a good amount of characters and cheered them on as the book progressed and with that ending, I definitely want to read the next volume, all in the hopes I get to see more of my favorite characters and their villainy at work ๐
It was pretty much what I was hoping for as I do love it when villains have their moments and this book gave me so many great villainous moments.
Normally I'm not into the isekai genre in general so I probably could have done without it but everything else .... Was just so much fun- the with, satire, despair, snark, hope, and characterizations were what I didn't know I was looking for till I started reading it.
I fell for a good amount of characters and cheered them on as the book progressed and with that ending, I definitely want to read the next volume, all in the hopes I get to see more of my favorite characters and their villainy at work ๐
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Sexism, Violence, Blood, and Medical trauma
The House of Hidden Meanings by RuPaul
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
3.5
I know very little about RuPaul's personal life so this was a nice intro I think to the person from their early start as a good portion of the book is about their childhood, family home, early start in show business, drag, as well as a general gloss-over of their current lifestyle and love life.
I say gloss-over because that's what it felt like to me and maybe it was addressed in other books as RuPaul has multiple books under their belt that goes more into depth on their rise to the top but this book for me, gave me the glimpses and details of RuPaul the person and that's what I was hoping for on this read.
The book started out strong but it does feel, maybe part of the gloss-over for me, that it loses steam a bit halfway into the book but then again, they have a 20+ years to try to cover so all in all I learned a lot from RuPaul and I can't express how much that giggle of theirs was perfect throughout the audiobook, which is something that had I read this, would've missed โ*: .๏ฝก. o(โงโฝโฆ)o .๏ฝก.:*โ
I say gloss-over because that's what it felt like to me and maybe it was addressed in other books as RuPaul has multiple books under their belt that goes more into depth on their rise to the top but this book for me, gave me the glimpses and details of RuPaul the person and that's what I was hoping for on this read.
The book started out strong but it does feel, maybe part of the gloss-over for me, that it loses steam a bit halfway into the book but then again, they have a 20+ years to try to cover so all in all I learned a lot from RuPaul and I can't express how much that giggle of theirs was perfect throughout the audiobook, which is something that had I read this, would've missed โ*: .๏ฝก. o(โงโฝโฆ)o .๏ฝก.:*โ
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcoholism and Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity and Sexual content
Crazy Food Truck, Vol. 1 by Rokurou Ogaki
adventurous
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
2.0
Idk how to describe this one.
It's an odd premise of a cook running a food truck in the middle of nowhere, meets a naked girl in a sleeping bag in the middle of the road, who turns out is wanted by an armed militia. It's too early for an actual storyline in this volume but I'm sure something is going to happen just based on how this volume ended.
I don't think I'm going to continue the rest of this series since I'm not in like with it, my dislike of Arisa, naked girl, and her constantly naked status and the odd focus on her in most scenes. A highlight is that Gordon, the cook, never looks at her in any sexualized way and is reminding her to put in clothes.
It's an odd premise of a cook running a food truck in the middle of nowhere, meets a naked girl in a sleeping bag in the middle of the road, who turns out is wanted by an armed militia. It's too early for an actual storyline in this volume but I'm sure something is going to happen just based on how this volume ended.
I don't think I'm going to continue the rest of this series since I'm not in like with it, my dislike of Arisa, naked girl, and her constantly naked status and the odd focus on her in most scenes. A highlight is that Gordon, the cook, never looks at her in any sexualized way and is reminding her to put in clothes.
Collected Folk Tales by Alan Garner
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I've had this on my TBR for so long I had almost given up hope that I would get to read it, but the library had a copy!!!!
I liked the range of folk tales from around the world, although a lot are from Great Britain, overall it was a good mix of different countries which is nice to read but I only ended up enjoying a handful of tales.
A lot of the stories are fairly short which works if reading 1-2 a night and by a younger audience because as I read a few stories a day, to pace them out, I felt that their shortness left me wanting for more details to fall deeper into the tale for the ones that I was intrigued by whereas other stories just didn't do anything for me.
I also not having read anything by Garner wasn't sure what to expect but overall, this was a solid read.
I liked the range of folk tales from around the world, although a lot are from Great Britain, overall it was a good mix of different countries which is nice to read but I only ended up enjoying a handful of tales.
A lot of the stories are fairly short which works if reading 1-2 a night and by a younger audience because as I read a few stories a day, to pace them out, I felt that their shortness left me wanting for more details to fall deeper into the tale for the ones that I was intrigued by whereas other stories just didn't do anything for me.
I also not having read anything by Garner wasn't sure what to expect but overall, this was a solid read.
Monstress, Vol. 9: The Possessed by Marjorie Liu
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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? Yes
4.5
Omg what an illegal cliffhanger!!!!!
Idk when the next volume is happening but I am psyched for it.
The political intrugue that is happening is insane but so are the family ties that Mika has. She has been through so much and each next step is steeped in memories, emotions , and tension.
Oh Liu has a great way of writing tension and that fact that it's been every volume highlighting different arcs but all tying together is intensive but I am here for it.
Idk when the next volume is happening but I am psyched for it.
The political intrugue that is happening is insane but so are the family ties that Mika has. She has been through so much and each next step is steeped in memories, emotions , and tension.
Oh Liu has a great way of writing tension and that fact that it's been every volume highlighting different arcs but all tying together is intensive but I am here for it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture and Toxic relationship