blewballoon's Reviews (763)

The Great Gatsby

F. Scott Fitzgerald

2.0

emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-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

Girl in the Walls

A.J. Gnuse

4.0

dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I think I expected something more supernatural and like a horror book, but this is painfully realistic. This is an exploration of human character, family dynamics, and how different people endure hardships and find meaning for themselves. I am glad this book was not as dark and disturbing as it could have been, I think that allowed it to illustrate the story and themes more effectively.

Content Warnings

A Curse So Dark and Lonely

Brigid Kemmerer

3.5

adventurous dark 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

I got this from a "Blind Date with a Book" at a local bookstore. I liked the slightly unconventional main character, but I didn't love her. I didn't really love anything about this book, and I don't plan to read the rest of the series. The world building and magic are fine but don't always make sense. The characters are fine or unlikable. I think Grey was probably the most interesting character,

and I'm gonna assume he stayed a good and loyal person and lived happily ever after rather than reading whatever might happen with him in the following books.

I have read plenty of Beauty and the Beast retellings; this one isn't the worst and it isn't the best.

Content Warnings