claudcloud's Reviews (310)

"Remarkable, really, the lengths to which humans will go to fit things into their version of reality."

I genuinely don't know how to be coherent for this review because 1. I loved this so, SO much and 2. I'm kicking myself for not reading it way sooner?? This was absolutely fantastic - full of heart, charm, and a main character that you can't help falling in love with and wanting to protect instantly 🥺

Full disclosure, I did see the "Percy Jackson" movie when it came out - Logan Lerman is a powerful force - so I went into this knowing all the major plot points, but I still had such a good time with it! Percy's character was, naturally, so much more fleshed-out in the book, and he's just a delight to read!! He has such a lovable personality that I just want to wrap him into a big hug and give him the entire world 😭 I also loved Annabeth as a character so much, as well as the Percy-Annabeth-Grover trio, and their journey felt so much more impactful experienced in book-form, so much more high-stakes.

Kronos being the big bad was ultimately unexpected, because I had forgotten about that detail, and Ares' curse on Percy was also something that came a bit out of left field for me, but I'm very excited to start reading the next books in the series, and to see where they take us next!! I can already feel how much more I'm going to love Percy with each installment, and how great it will feel to watch him grow up right in front of my eyes... I need them now!! My goal is to read the entire series before the TV show releases, and I hope I can get physical editions of the books soon!

 This was such an incredibly emotional, poignant read, and I'm so happy to have finally experienced this story (this, too, is one of those books that I've seen everywhere but only got recently)!

The book tackles very real, tangible issues without ever romanticizing them. The relationship between Laura Dean and Freddy is as compelling as it is toxic, and you can't help but root for Freddy from the very first page. It's easy to blame her for accepting Laura's behavior and for taking her back at every turn, but we're also confronted with the reality that it's never as easy as that when you're stuck in a vicious circle with someone that you have such deep feelings for.

As questionable as some of her actions were - particularly the way she treated her friends - I truly loved that the catalyst for Freddy to finally break up with LD was the realization that she doesn't like the person that she is when she's in this relationship. I think that's such a valuable lesson to learn, even at 26, and such a good way to look at everyone that's in your life and know if that relationship serves you or not.

Doodle?? Was my favorite???? And I need more of them and Freddy, please and thank you. I would also enjoy reading more about Eric and Buddy, especially since at the end of this book they're going through some of their own stuff as well - just more of this friend group + Vi and Mo, please!!

Highly enjoyable, super intriguing, and a very good read. Definitely give it a chance if you can!!

 I picked this up on a whim from my bookstore a couple of weeks ago after hearing about it for years, and I'm happy to say it didn't disappoint and that I need the second volume to come out right now!!!!

If you know me, you'll probably not be surprised to know that I instantly connected with Ari. I'm years from being fresh out of high school myself, but the self-doubt and inability to know who you are and what you want deeply resonated with me. That feeling like you're not only letting everybody around you down, but also yourself? Every time I encounter a character going through the same thing, I just want to protect them and give them the world 😭

Hector is a human ball of sunshine, and I loved his love for baking so much! He is such a strong character, not only because he supports Ari at every turn and does his best to be there for him and be a good (boy)friend, but also because he is never afraid to set boundaries and call out problematic behavior, even with Ari himself 👏🏻 They're exactly what each other needed and I fall for it every time!!!

Now, I will say that the pacing of this felt a bit rushed (and a tiiiiny little bit insta-lovey, because I feel like the friends stage was done very well, but the more/getting together part was too immediate for my liking), which is why it doesn't get a full 5 stars. I still highly recommend it for a cute, cozy read, though, and I'm very much looking forward to how Ari and Hector's story continues next year!!

"The die is cast. But today we will shake the table upon which it lands."

This series... is so fantastic, and so incredibly engrossing, and I'm so sad to have reached the end - but at the same time, this was nothing like I've ever read or experienced before, and I'm so happy I picked it up!!

The format is so interesting and engaging, the storytelling is palpable (even if we get very limited actual prose), and while the plot definitely keeps your attention and makes you want to read more and more, it's the characters that are the heart and soul of Illuminae.

It's the perilous, fascinating journey that we join them on; it's the relationships that are forged on the way, romantic and platonic both; it's the humanity that never leaves them, and the resilience that they all prove in spite of all the obstacles thrown at them. It's even AIDAN, who I grew?? To like??? Nik remains, however, my favorite, because apparently I can't not love the bad boy with a heart of absolute gold, whatever universe I may find him in 🤭

I will be immediately picking up the #0.5 novella after this, and if you were thinking of picking this series up - absolutely do it. It's quickly become one of my favorite things I've ever read!!

"What's wrong with wanting everything?"
"Nothing, as long as you know how to get it."

This book was so, so much fun!! While it definitely had its issues, I found the cast of characters very easy to connect to, the plot just the right mixture of grounded in real-life experiences and this-only-happens-in-movies, and the action and intrigue very compelling!

What I adored: the exploration of Chinese-American identity and diaspora, the feelings of never being enough for your parents' dreams and expectations for you, the found family (the found family, you guys, our 5 protags bring so much out of each other and have such an amazing dynamic together!!!!), Alex and Irene (because I'm me and I'm gay), Lily's character who is one of the coolest women I've had the pleasure of reading about... and so much more. As unrealistic as robbing museums can feel, this book constantly had me on the edge of my seat, wondering how they'll pull all this off and how the next heist will end up. I was also pleasantly surprised by the ending, which was very smart and very fulfilling!

What I didn't like as much, and what everyone seems to be pointing out: the repetitiveness of the writing. This didn't bother me that much, though, because overall the book is stunningly lyrical and beautifully crafted - it just suffers from overuse of reoccurring phrases. By the end, I turned it into a game and was laughing out loud every time I came across an instance of the word "possibility" 😅

All in all, this was an amazing debut, and I do very much look forward to everything else that Grace will write in the future!!

I had such high hopes for this last installment but all it did was let me down??? RTC (for the first two, as well) because I have opinions.

Once more, RTC, but I will say that adding Jere’s POV was the best decision Jenny could’ve made here and I LOVED THIS!!!!

RTC after I finish the entire series, but just know that this was spurned on by the TV show and I DO NOT REGRET STARTING THIS. TEAM JERE FOR LIFE!!

To my great shame, I’ve never actually read any Oscar Wilde before (even though I was supposed to for uni shhhh), but I have always had a fascination with classics, and with retellings of said classics. When I stumbled upon this, it seemed right up my alley, and I’ve enjoyed it quite a bit!!

I really enjoyed and was able to relate to Janey as a character, and I truly appreciated the exploration into adoptee life that Horan emphasizes in this book. It was beautifully put on the page, and I’m especially glad that I read this because it allowed me to learn about the experience of someone different from myself. That’s something I appreciate and look for in all my books!

Janey and Gwen’s relationship (and especially Janey’s Gay Panic Mode every single time she was in Gwen’s radius, I mean, haven’t we all been there??) was so much fun as well! I especially loved the prom scene, with Gwen calling Jane brave when for finally admitting to loving her with no hesitation - fundamentally, this is what queer love is. The biggest act of bravery you will ever perform in your life.

I also was very happy that the platonic relationships, especially Jane and Algie’s, were given just as much attention and care as our main pairing. You can genuinely feel the love that these two have for each other every single time they interact, and they bring out the best from each other, and it was just beautiful!! Also, last but not least, I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t ask for an Algie and Cecil spin-off, please? Thank you!!

Now, for the less than good part, and the reason why my rating is what it is. The story, while unique and so full of heart, definitely felt a tad bit rushed and unfinished to me. Janey finds out she has bio family, meets them, and… everything is solved? The gang goes to prom and has a beautiful time and all the agonizing that she’s done is just quickly wrapped up with a neat little bow? We were going from point A to point B so fast, I found myself going “Wait, what? Already???” multiple times throughout, and I would’ve loved a bit of a different pacing overall.

As always, the characters made this book fun for me, and I would definitely recommend it as a quick, cozy YA that’s super enjoyable. But I’m starting to believe that I’m growing a bit out of the genre? Remains to be seen. For now, it’s still my go-to, and I look forward to keep exploring and figuring out my (new) reading tastes!