brittmariasbooks's Reviews (1.45k)

Well, I am sad. Though I did not cry, probably because the title prepares the reader of what is to come. This is the kind of book where you will reflect on life with.

Spoiler

First of all, Death Cast is basically destiny-like. Some people die because DC calls them. For example, the Last Friend serial killer, and of course Mateo and Rufus. This leads to the second question: is it better not to have met at all, or to have met, lived your last day to fullest and die because you have met. This is a lot of brain food for me and probably also for other readers

The parts where we briefly followed the point of views of different characters in the story, really reminded me of The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon. I really liked it there, and I really liked it here.

Even though it was sad, it was a great read. It takes a great kind of writing to let you feel things through books and Adam Silvera managed to do it with this book. I am definitely planning on picking up his other work after having read The Both Die at the End.

So many feelings

2.5 stars

I really wanted to enjoy this story more, however, it did not suck me in. This book had a great narrator, and the manner in which it was told is something I usually really enjoy. Unfortunately, I did not feel connected to Sarat or Martina or any other character other than Benjamin. Maybe it is because I listened to the audiobook and I would have loved it way more if I actually read it. Because I felt more connected to Benjamin I got to enjoy part 4 a lot more.

I received an e-galley on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

The synopsis reminded me of Dumplin' (a book I have yet to read) but with an own-voices twist. I really try to read more diverse books and look into lives that are completely different from mine.

Like Vanessa is such a book. The book follows 13 years old Vanessa who is a huge fan of the Miss America pageant. Especially, when in 1983 African American Vanessa Williams is crowned Miss America. Vanessa sees because of Williams that black girls can win too, can be beautiful too. (This just shows why diversity is important).

I really enjoyed this book especially the last third. The first part felt a bit slow paced to me but that might as be because I read only about one or two chapters a day.

Spoiler

I really loved to see Vanessa's confidence grow.

It was hard sometimes to see this girl struggle with a lot of things 13 year olds shouldn't worry about. However, the sad truth is lots of children do. It made it realistic. This book has a strong family element which I loved, too. Vanessa's family is imperfect in many ways but they make it work

Spoiler

and in the end they are happy

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Here is a book I believe everyone should read, especially girls and especially black girls.
This book is so inspiring! It is just black women talking about what they are doing and what they have achieved and how the road to their success hasn't been so smooth. I also loved the photos that were provided. I was familiar with some of the women, with others I was not at all. However, it was fun to get to know all these inspiring, successful black women.
Moreover, it goes over important historical black women who definitely need to get more attention in sections called "herstory".

Thus, I definitely recommend this book if you want to be inspired.

This is a very important book about war children and refugees in general. It shows Uwiringiyimana's specific "case", her life, her obstacles and how it is to be part of a stateless people who will be discriminated wherever they go.
I have difficulty with defining how important I find this book. I would like to say that is on part with Malala's memoirs. Maybe even more important because it tells a lesser known story.