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marie_thereadingotter's reviews
1282 reviews
Inuyasha (VIZBIG Edition), Vol. 2 by Rumiko Takahashi
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I'm enjoying seeing the minor differences between the anime and manga.
Inuyasha, Vol. 1 by Rumiko Takahashi
adventurous
fast-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? Yes
5.0
As a long-time fan of the anime, I decided it was time to read the manga. Very thankful my library has these Omnibus ebooks.
The Au Pair Affair by Tessa Bailey
lighthearted
fast-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
2.25
I recieved this book from NetGalley for review
I haven't read the first book in this series, it's on hold at my library, but I don't think it's exactly necessary. I am a little on the fence with this book. The chemistry between a 26 year old, and a 37 year old, was believable, but also not. I believe their physical attraction to each other. But, I don't believe much else about their romance.
Contemporary romance is always a hard-sell for me. Had Tallulah been just a few years older, closer to 30, I don't think parts of this would've bothered me as much. He got a little too protective for me, it was almost paternalistic. I also would've liked to see more of Tallulah's knowledge on Marine Biology featured. It's mentioned, and talked about how much she knows. But she doesn't get a chance to show her intelligence. I would've liked to see her nerd out more about marine life or something. There's also the plotline of her classmate she's partnered with that gets tossed aside, it almost didn't need to be there. It's never brought up again. Her other classmate and friends she made also disappear.
I also think they didn't do a good job expressing the reason his marriage failed. He was busy with hockey, I think? It would've been early in his career, so I'm just confused on that part. I'd also like to know why he gets his daughter most of the week, when he likely has mid-week out-of-state games.
We also don't get to meet any of Tallulah's family, which I would've liked. We don't even hear any of them speak. It felt like a missed opportunity. We meet everybody who's part of Burgess's life before they met, but nobody from her life. She could've used her +1 to invite her sister to the wedding.
I haven't read the first book in this series, it's on hold at my library, but I don't think it's exactly necessary. I am a little on the fence with this book. The chemistry between a 26 year old, and a 37 year old, was believable, but also not. I believe their physical attraction to each other. But, I don't believe much else about their romance.
Contemporary romance is always a hard-sell for me. Had Tallulah been just a few years older, closer to 30, I don't think parts of this would've bothered me as much. He got a little too protective for me, it was almost paternalistic. I also would've liked to see more of Tallulah's knowledge on Marine Biology featured. It's mentioned, and talked about how much she knows. But she doesn't get a chance to show her intelligence. I would've liked to see her nerd out more about marine life or something. There's also the plotline of her classmate she's partnered with that gets tossed aside, it almost didn't need to be there. It's never brought up again. Her other classmate and friends she made also disappear.
I also think they didn't do a good job expressing the reason his marriage failed. He was busy with hockey, I think? It would've been early in his career, so I'm just confused on that part. I'd also like to know why he gets his daughter most of the week, when he likely has mid-week out-of-state games.
We also don't get to meet any of Tallulah's family, which I would've liked. We don't even hear any of them speak. It felt like a missed opportunity. We meet everybody who's part of Burgess's life before they met, but nobody from her life. She could've used her +1 to invite her sister to the wedding.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Sexual assault, Kidnapping, and Stalking
Blackheart Man by Nalo Hopkinson
Did not finish book. Stopped at 45%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 45%.
I had a difficult time following the story. I read about half the book when I realized I had no idea what was going on. I'm giving this the most middle of the road rating I can. There's nothing about this book that I can say I dislike, but there's not anything that I can say I like. Based solely on me having difficulties keeping track of things. The three POVs are split up with different fonts, which did help me keep track of who was being followed. But my brain wasn't connecting the events for whatever reason.
Mao, Vol. 6 by Rumiko Takahashi
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Mao, Vol. 5 by Rumiko Takahashi
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
Mao, Vol. 4 by Rumiko Takahashi
funny
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? Yes
3.75
A lot of reveals, and introduction to new characters. There was one small annoying part, where Nanoka calls Mao a jerk for not caring... when all he did was say she needs to train so she can protect herself. I'm not sure what made that so upsetting. But, it felt shoehorned to create conflict for her.
I am invested in the mystery around the night Mao was cursed. Hyakka is still annoying. Less so in this volume than the previous, but I still don't really care for his personality.
So much happened in this volume, too much almost to where some of it wasn't as impactful as I wish it had been. Too many reveals, and too many twists. I already have the next two volumes from the library.
I am invested in the mystery around the night Mao was cursed. Hyakka is still annoying. Less so in this volume than the previous, but I still don't really care for his personality.
So much happened in this volume, too much almost to where some of it wasn't as impactful as I wish it had been. Too many reveals, and too many twists. I already have the next two volumes from the library.
Mao, Vol. 3 by Rumiko Takahashi
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
I am really enjoying this series so far. I like that I'm starting to know the characters a little more and seeing more of their personalities. There were some reveals in this volume, and a touch of a time loop.
I found out why the housekeeper gave me "weird" vibes, not nefarious as I thought.
There was a new character introduced in this book, who I find annoying right now. I hope he gets less annoying soon, or doesn't stay around.
I'm getting more invested as I read.
I found out why the housekeeper gave me "weird" vibes, not nefarious as I thought.
There was a new character introduced in this book, who I find annoying right now. I hope he gets less annoying soon, or doesn't stay around.
I'm getting more invested as I read.
Daindreth's Outlaw by Elisabeth Wheatley
adventurous
medium-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? Yes
3.0
This series is keeping just interested enough to keep reading.
I can't say that I like the characters, but I don't dislike them either.
This book had a little more information on the world. But I still don't see where and how the two MC's "fell in love". Their reasons feel and seem pretty surface level. And the characters on page basically say this, so the author seems to know, at least sub-consciously, that their relationship comes across surface level. It just feels like they're saying, "trust me, they love each other." And I don't see or understand why. They respect each other in their own ways, but Amira seems to love Daindreth because he was the first person other than her sister who was kind to her, and that is a poor reason to love someone.
I can't say that I like the characters, but I don't dislike them either.
This book had a little more information on the world. But I still don't see where and how the two MC's "fell in love". Their reasons feel and seem pretty surface level. And the characters on page basically say this, so the author seems to know, at least sub-consciously, that their relationship comes across surface level. It just feels like they're saying, "trust me, they love each other." And I don't see or understand why. They respect each other in their own ways, but Amira seems to love Daindreth because he was the first person other than her sister who was kind to her, and that is a poor reason to love someone.
The antagonist had zero presence in this book, which I think is a flaw. There should've been at least one chapter from her POV, and what she's doing and how her recovery is going since t he ending of the previous book. They left her wounded, not knowing what she's up to doesn't create any mystery. It just leaves me asking questions.
But as I was saying, I don't dislike this book or series, but there's just something that makes me feel like the themes are barely scratching the surface.
I'm also still not convinced at Thadred's importance to the story. He was often left behind on their mini-missions, and then captured. He did get some POV chapters, but I'm going to need a lot more to go on in the next book to be convinced that he matters to the story beyond being the other person the MMC cares about.
A Spark Within the Forge by Sabaa Tahir
emotional
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? It's complicated
3.0
This was... fine. It's more about Darin than Laia. And sorry, but I don't really care about Darin. I wanted more about Laia before the events of the series.
I found out after reading this that Sabaa Tahir didn't write this book, and like that other review said, it shows.
The dialog was, for lack of a better word, robotic. The personalities didn't shine the way they did in the main series. I don't regret reading this, and this does shed some light on how Darin got mixed up in that mess that started the whole mess in the series. If the other books do tell us how, I think my brain erased it, because as I said, I don't really like Darin, he's kind of selfish. (imo)
I found out after reading this that Sabaa Tahir didn't write this book, and like that other review said, it shows.
The dialog was, for lack of a better word, robotic. The personalities didn't shine the way they did in the main series. I don't regret reading this, and this does shed some light on how Darin got mixed up in that mess that started the whole mess in the series. If the other books do tell us how, I think my brain erased it, because as I said, I don't really like Darin, he's kind of selfish. (imo)