Reviews by betweentheshelves

2.83k reviews by:

betweentheshelves

Not Here to Be Liked

Michelle Quach

4.0

challenging 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

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an advanced copy of this to review! I’d been hearing some great things about this book and it was definitely right up my alley. This book not only has great characters, but it will also definitely make you think!

At the beginning, Eliza isn’t the most likeable character. However, this makes sense for her character arc. She doesn’t think she really needs to be liked by her fellow students in order to get where she wants to go. A lot of the book is her realizing that maybe letting people in is okay, and I loved the way her character was written. Everything about her journey felt so natural and worked well as a teenage character.

The secondary characters are just as fleshed out as Eliza. And they also bring some important points to the discussion of what we think of as feminism. Yes, this book takes place in a high school, but so much about what Eliza and her friends talk about regarding gender equality apply in a lot of different aspects of life. It really makes you think about your own version of feminism and whether it really includes gender equality of all kinds.

Eliza and Len also get to talk a lot about what it means to be Asian in America, and even though they both had different experiences, they find a lot of common ground. I think this is why their relationship feels natural in the book and they have such great chemistry.

The main reason this isn’t getting five stars is because I did think the pacing was a bit off in places. But overall, this was an enjoyable read and it will definitely prompt some good discussion!
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There are all sorts of things to love about this book. Engaging story, important discussions, great characters. More to come in a review next week!

Content Warnings

Thirsty Mermaids

Kat Leyh

4.0

adventurous funny lighthearted 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: Yes

This was so fun! The characters are quirky, they get into hilarious situations. I was thoroughly entertained throughout the entire book! Plus, I love Leyh's artwork. It really brings the characters and their setting to life. I needed something fun and entertaining, and this definitely fit the bill.

Content Warnings

Mister Impossible

Maggie Stiefvater

4.0

adventurous mysterious 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

The narrator in this audiobook is fantastic, honestly. He really brings this story to life. Ronan was my favorite in The Raven Cycle, and I love getting to see more from him here. And such a cliffhanger! I need to know what happens next!

Content Warnings

A Lesson in Vengeance

Victoria Lee

4.0

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This book gave me all the spooky fall vibes! While the pacing felt a bit off at times, I thought the characters were really well done, as well as the setting. You can feel there's something a bit off at Godwin house and it seeps through every aspect of the book. If you love dark academia, definitely pick up this book!

Content Warnings

Brothersong

TJ Klune

5.0

emotional funny 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: Yes

Okay, what an ending. Like the other books in this series, I was definitely hooked until the end. So many emotions in this book, and I loved the way it tied back to the beginning and you truly came full circle. So glad I finally picked up this series!

Content Warnings

Heartsong

TJ Klune

5.0

emotional funny sad 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

Okay, this might be my favorite Green Creek book yet. Maybe? I don't know, it's hard to pick a favorite. There were so many ups and downs in this book, it was a true emotional roller coaster. Kelly and Robbie are absolutely perfect for each other, and there were so many moments where my heart just broke for them.

Plus, the pacing for this book was spot on. I just couldn't put it down. I need everything to be okay in the end! I just need it!

Content Warnings

Run: Book One

Afua Richardson, Nate Powell, John Lewis, Andrew Aydin

5.0

informative inspiring medium-paced

I love the way that these graphic novels put history into context. The writing is engaging, as are the illustrations. Plus, you can tell so much research went into getting the details correct and making the story as authentic as possible. Honestly, I think these graphic novels should be read in school!

Content Warnings

Switch

A.S. King

2.0

challenging reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I'll just say, this was out there, even for A.S. King. Usually her books border on surrealism, but this one felt like it just went a little too far. Maybe I read it too fast? However, there are elements in this book that do connect to everything that happened in the last year. Maybe I just wanted a little more clarity by the end.

Content Warnings

My Contrary Mary

Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand, Jodi Meadows

4.0

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

We have another fun twist on history in this book! Connecting back to the original book, this time we get the story of Mary Queen of Scots. I loved the characters and their adventures and the little nods to pop culture. Seriously, these books are just so fun.

Content Warnings

Ravensong

TJ Klune

5.0

emotional tense 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

Oh my goodness, all the feels! I was so nervous for the pack in this book. And Gordo and Mark. They just needed to find their way to each other. While Gordo isn't the same as Ox as a narrator, he brought another thing to the story. Ah. Now I need to read the next one!

Content Warnings

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