Take a photo of a barcode or cover
eve_reads's Reviews (121)
This was the post-apocalyptic book that I wasn’t expecting but dearly needed. At first, I thought it was going to be the stereotypical rebel-girl-fights-government type deal. However, it peels away from the expected hero’s journey (and consequential “chosen one”/single savior narrative), and instead focuses on the power of collective action and community care.
If you read it all to the end, Liggett may just decimate your heart like she decimated mine.
If you read it all to the end, Liggett may just decimate your heart like she decimated mine.
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
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
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ The Viking world was so brutal, but totally believable. I was grateful that, despite being a YA read, Young didn’t shy away from the blood and gore.
⁕ I didn’t care for the major romantic relationship of the story, but the dynamics between Eelyn and her family members were so dramaful and juicy. Young did a great job building tension between Iri and Eelyn, especially.
⁕ Most of the book was super action-packed, but I felt that there was a slight lull after Eelyn got captured by the Riki. Some of the scenes depicting her doing chores for them felt repetitive and slow.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
⁕ The Viking world was so brutal, but totally believable. I was grateful that, despite being a YA read, Young didn’t shy away from the blood and gore.
⁕ I didn’t care for the major romantic relationship of the story, but the dynamics between Eelyn and her family members were so dramaful and juicy. Young did a great job building tension between Iri and Eelyn, especially.
⁕ Most of the book was super action-packed, but I felt that there was a slight lull after Eelyn got captured by the Riki. Some of the scenes depicting her doing chores for them felt repetitive and slow.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Sexual assault, Slavery, War
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ The mystery built around the “bad luck” that follows Alice was equal parts suspenseful and terrifying for the first half of the book. I was hooked on finding out who/what was the force behind it, but unfortunately the reveal was a bit lackluster for me.
⁕ The secondary characters were one-dimensional. I was also disappointed that the only development in the main character was explained away by magic.
⁕ The ending felt rushed and unearned.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
⁕ The mystery built around the “bad luck” that follows Alice was equal parts suspenseful and terrifying for the first half of the book. I was hooked on finding out who/what was the force behind it, but unfortunately the reveal was a bit lackluster for me.
⁕ The secondary characters were one-dimensional. I was also disappointed that the only development in the main character was explained away by magic.
⁕ The ending felt rushed and unearned.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Stalking
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ I don’t normally veer towards poetry because I’ve found it intimidating in the past, but Klingenberg’s writing is super accessible. Reading this book felt as easy as talking to a friend!
⁕ I loved the magical realism that was infused within the text! The mixing of nature and magic with talk of laundry and traffic made me stop and examine the ways that my everyday life has the potential to be fantastical.
⁕ Klingenberg provides striking commentary on modern relationship dynamics and female empowerment. She touches on themes of codependency, imposter syndrome, and emotional labor. I think this book will be a huge comfort to any young adult navigating relationships and self-identity.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
⁕ I don’t normally veer towards poetry because I’ve found it intimidating in the past, but Klingenberg’s writing is super accessible. Reading this book felt as easy as talking to a friend!
⁕ I loved the magical realism that was infused within the text! The mixing of nature and magic with talk of laundry and traffic made me stop and examine the ways that my everyday life has the potential to be fantastical.
⁕ Klingenberg provides striking commentary on modern relationship dynamics and female empowerment. She touches on themes of codependency, imposter syndrome, and emotional labor. I think this book will be a huge comfort to any young adult navigating relationships and self-identity.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content
adventurous
dark
emotional
lighthearted
sad
tense
fast-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
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ The characters in the book are very archetypal and common in YA fantasy, BUT Mahurin backs up their portrayals really well.
⁕ The main romance is one of the better enemies to lovers I’ve read. It doesn’t feel rushed, and even after the characters develop feelings there’s still lots of uncertainty between them.
⁕ The magical system in this one is really interesting. Forget the whole “spells require energy” thing! Mahurin makes her characters sacrifice things of equal value to the spells they cast — but it’s all up to their interpretation of what that means.
⁕ I was disappointed by how this book approaches gender. It takes a very binary perspective and ties womanhood to reproduction, which is super exclusionary.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
⁕ The characters in the book are very archetypal and common in YA fantasy, BUT Mahurin backs up their portrayals really well.
⁕ The main romance is one of the better enemies to lovers I’ve read. It doesn’t feel rushed, and even after the characters develop feelings there’s still lots of uncertainty between them.
⁕ The magical system in this one is really interesting. Forget the whole “spells require energy” thing! Mahurin makes her characters sacrifice things of equal value to the spells they cast — but it’s all up to their interpretation of what that means.
⁕ I was disappointed by how this book approaches gender. It takes a very binary perspective and ties womanhood to reproduction, which is super exclusionary.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Gore, Sexism, Violence
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
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:
Complicated
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ I appreciate how this book explores gentrification in the historical context of colonization. I learned a lot about the history of NYC from it.
⁕ Cole expertly juxtaposes a culture of collective care and mutual aid with one that is ruled by white supremacy and individualism. It forced me as the reader to explore the ways in which my own community relationships either perpetuate harm or foster well-being.
⁕ For a thriller, it was a very slow build. The plot development and most the of major story events occur in the last 100 pages.
⁕ Both Sydney and Theo have a reveal/secret that is central to their character development, but I felt that only Sydney’s was really backed up by the text. The information introduced about Theo came out of the blue and wasn’t believable.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
⁕ I appreciate how this book explores gentrification in the historical context of colonization. I learned a lot about the history of NYC from it.
⁕ Cole expertly juxtaposes a culture of collective care and mutual aid with one that is ruled by white supremacy and individualism. It forced me as the reader to explore the ways in which my own community relationships either perpetuate harm or foster well-being.
⁕ For a thriller, it was a very slow build. The plot development and most the of major story events occur in the last 100 pages.
⁕ Both Sydney and Theo have a reveal/secret that is central to their character development, but I felt that only Sydney’s was really backed up by the text. The information introduced about Theo came out of the blue and wasn’t believable.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Racism, Police brutality, Classism
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ The amount of gore in the book was astronomical, and I enjoyed how sickeningly fascinated Audrey is by it. For a YA book, such characterization really stood out to me.
⁕ I did not like Thomas at all. I didn’t understand the motivation for his actions, he’s annoyingly arrogant, and the author uses his “power of deduction” to act as a plot device when, in reality, his ability to pluck the right answers out of thin air is a bit ridiculous.
⁕ I’m unsure about calling this a feminist text. I like the message that girls can care about looks and also be smart/strong. Still, Maniscalco portrays the other female characters as less than Audrey because of their traditionally “feminine” interests.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
⁕ The amount of gore in the book was astronomical, and I enjoyed how sickeningly fascinated Audrey is by it. For a YA book, such characterization really stood out to me.
⁕ I did not like Thomas at all. I didn’t understand the motivation for his actions, he’s annoyingly arrogant, and the author uses his “power of deduction” to act as a plot device when, in reality, his ability to pluck the right answers out of thin air is a bit ridiculous.
⁕ I’m unsure about calling this a feminist text. I like the message that girls can care about looks and also be smart/strong. Still, Maniscalco portrays the other female characters as less than Audrey because of their traditionally “feminine” interests.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gun violence, Suicide, Violence
Moderate: Death, Drug abuse, Gore, Sexism
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ The split narration is incredibly confusing for the first 30-40 pages, and even once I figured out what was going on I felt the pacing of one “perspective” was slower than the other until about page 100. After that it was totally gripping.
⁕ The snarky/sadistic comments of the narrator(s?) and the use footnotes to provide unnecessary but detailed world-building were sometimes fun, sometimes really distracting. I’m still torn on these elements.
⁕ The story is far more driven by the plot and overall suspense than character development and nuance.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
⁕ The split narration is incredibly confusing for the first 30-40 pages, and even once I figured out what was going on I felt the pacing of one “perspective” was slower than the other until about page 100. After that it was totally gripping.
⁕ The snarky/sadistic comments of the narrator(s?) and the use footnotes to provide unnecessary but detailed world-building were sometimes fun, sometimes really distracting. I’m still torn on these elements.
⁕ The story is far more driven by the plot and overall suspense than character development and nuance.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Cursing, Death, Gore, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Death of parent
Fatal Throne: The Wives of Henry VIII Tell All
Candace Fleming, Stephanie Hemphill, Deborah Hopkinson, M.T. Anderson, Linda Sue Park, Jennifer Donnelly, Lisa Ann Sandell
dark
emotional
inspiring
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
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ The authors took some creative licensing in terms of dialogue and characters’ internal thoughts, but, as far as I can tell, this book is as historically accurate as possible.
⁕ The use of different authors to represent each character made the changes in narrative so believable and complicated my feelings towards major historical events in the best way possible.
⁕ My greatest complaint about this book is that it is too short. Each character is only allotted 50-60 pages, and I wanted more information about their day-to-day lives and personalities than I got.
⁕ The stories in this book are NOT a great example of female empowerment (except for Anna of Cleeves), but rather an examination of the patriarchy and its negative effect on people.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
⁕ The authors took some creative licensing in terms of dialogue and characters’ internal thoughts, but, as far as I can tell, this book is as historically accurate as possible.
⁕ The use of different authors to represent each character made the changes in narrative so believable and complicated my feelings towards major historical events in the best way possible.
⁕ My greatest complaint about this book is that it is too short. Each character is only allotted 50-60 pages, and I wanted more information about their day-to-day lives and personalities than I got.
⁕ The stories in this book are NOT a great example of female empowerment (except for Anna of Cleeves), but rather an examination of the patriarchy and its negative effect on people.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Gore, Miscarriage, Sexism, Murder
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ If I had to describe Korzen’s writing style in a word, I would call it Epic. Her lyrical style of writing and references to myth and the divine make reading her poems feel equivalent to casting a spell.
⁕ The collection is divided into 3 parts (burning, healing, regrowth), and I really enjoyed the sense of narrative that this structure imparted on the work as a whole. The poems are strong individually, but the way in which they are arranged creates an entirely new and impactful story.
⁕ There are so many feminist themes to dissect in this book, including emotional labor, discussion of the male gaze, reclaiming of space, and female lineage! I’m so in love with it all!
⁕ If I had to describe Korzen’s writing style in a word, I would call it Epic. Her lyrical style of writing and references to myth and the divine make reading her poems feel equivalent to casting a spell.
⁕ The collection is divided into 3 parts (burning, healing, regrowth), and I really enjoyed the sense of narrative that this structure imparted on the work as a whole. The poems are strong individually, but the way in which they are arranged creates an entirely new and impactful story.
⁕ There are so many feminist themes to dissect in this book, including emotional labor, discussion of the male gaze, reclaiming of space, and female lineage! I’m so in love with it all!
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
There were not options to tag them, but I would like to provide a content warning for references to body image, childbirth, motherhood, and strained family relationships.