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jlreadstoperpetuity's Reviews (309)
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
3.5
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I am deliciously conflicted with how I feel about this book. On one part, I advocated the personal mission of the MC to get rid of those pedo's. It's probably one of those things where my moral compass was tried and tested - which made reading this book even more interesting. On the other hand, the irony hit when MC upped his stalking skills to his personal relationship with FMC (TWs are strongly encouraged to be reviewed before reading)
1. MC saving innocent lives and providing safety is the composition that mostly lured me in finishing the book
2. Three pronged plots and semi dual timelines were interwoven beautifully by the author: solving the murder mystery of FMCs great grandma, MC's missions dismantling pedophile rings, the f*cked up relationship of Addie and Zade
3. Characterization. Hmmm. I love them both but I want to strangle them at the same time. There's only so much repetition of dominance and pitiful attempts to self preservation that I can take from both of them
4. The premise that this has sort of Stockholm Syndrome-ish vibes... I am still making peace with that information 😅
1. MC saving innocent lives and providing safety is the composition that mostly lured me in finishing the book
2. Three pronged plots and semi dual timelines were interwoven beautifully by the author: solving the murder mystery of FMCs great grandma, MC's missions dismantling pedophile rings, the f*cked up relationship of Addie and Zade
3. Characterization. Hmmm. I love them both but I want to strangle them at the same time. There's only so much repetition of dominance and pitiful attempts to self preservation that I can take from both of them
4. The premise that this has sort of Stockholm Syndrome-ish vibes... I am still making peace with that information 😅
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is no fluffy Wonderland, let me tell you that 🫠😅 For less than 350pages of a book, I was mildly shocked and rendered speechless for some scenes.
📌 Be warned for TW on mentall illlness, blood, death, gore and SA
📌 For some parts, the premise of dark Wonderland actually excited me. I have read numerous retellings of Alice in Wonderland - both carrying the innocence and the not so innocent themes, and this one belongs to a category I can't quite explain yet, probably because of the SA nuance and Lolita vibes I got
📌 Speaking of Lolita vibes, I am all for creativity and inclusion of dark themes, to each his own. But the first few chapters almost didn't do it for me. The level of sexual promiscuity and drug use for an underage as an alternate medication to mental illness is not something I was into. I had to skip several pages to try and understand the backstory
📌 The backstory was actually quiet decent. It was not just a random thought coined by the author. In its own twisted manner, the plot did make sense.
📌 The humanization of Hatter, Cheshire and Rabbit was something I did not reall expect which was a nice addition although, the actual characterization is a pass for me. No judgement to those who liked these characters. I guess the intent is to make something uncomfortable and as twisted as it sounds, it did create an impact to me as a reader. Although, not really the impact I hoped to get from the book
This ended in a cliffhanger though fortunately book two is out. Will I give the second book a chance? I might. After all, depravity is something I am piqued to understand.
📌 Be warned for TW on mentall illlness, blood, death, gore and SA
📌 For some parts, the premise of dark Wonderland actually excited me. I have read numerous retellings of Alice in Wonderland - both carrying the innocence and the not so innocent themes, and this one belongs to a category I can't quite explain yet, probably because of the SA nuance and Lolita vibes I got
📌 Speaking of Lolita vibes, I am all for creativity and inclusion of dark themes, to each his own. But the first few chapters almost didn't do it for me. The level of sexual promiscuity and drug use for an underage as an alternate medication to mental illness is not something I was into. I had to skip several pages to try and understand the backstory
📌 The backstory was actually quiet decent. It was not just a random thought coined by the author. In its own twisted manner, the plot did make sense.
📌 The humanization of Hatter, Cheshire and Rabbit was something I did not reall expect which was a nice addition although, the actual characterization is a pass for me. No judgement to those who liked these characters. I guess the intent is to make something uncomfortable and as twisted as it sounds, it did create an impact to me as a reader. Although, not really the impact I hoped to get from the book
This ended in a cliffhanger though fortunately book two is out. Will I give the second book a chance? I might. After all, depravity is something I am piqued to understand.
slow-paced
I saw a lot of rave reviews for this author's other works so when an ARC version opened up for this book, I requested for it to find out what the thrill was all about. After reading this one, I had to go back few chapters cause I can't believe the story ended that way - which is both good and bad.
Set 50 years after unfortunate events in 1964, we met the FMC already in her seventies. Sweet little grandma she is not, but time honed her to harbor secrets and truth be told she is not the only one in her retirement little community hiding one.
Plot wise, the author touched on sensitive subjects like experience of two different races during the height of the segregation era - the slurs, the white supremacists, the talks of lynching. One can't help but feel myriad of emotions goint through the motion of the harrowing experiences of those who went through with it. While this concept was really going well all throughout the story, plot holes were also observed.
1. The entire blurb was written towards an idea that FMC and her friends harbor dark secrets however, we only got to see one back story that went on and on until the end BUT eventually, has nothing to do at all with the story! I was so bummed with the twist at the end that the catharsis I was expecting suddenly came into a halt
Set 50 years after unfortunate events in 1964, we met the FMC already in her seventies. Sweet little grandma she is not, but time honed her to harbor secrets and truth be told she is not the only one in her retirement little community hiding one.
Plot wise, the author touched on sensitive subjects like experience of two different races during the height of the segregation era - the slurs, the white supremacists, the talks of lynching. One can't help but feel myriad of emotions goint through the motion of the harrowing experiences of those who went through with it. While this concept was really going well all throughout the story, plot holes were also observed.
1. The entire blurb was written towards an idea that FMC and her friends harbor dark secrets however, we only got to see one back story that went on and on until the end BUT eventually, has nothing to do at all with the story! I was so bummed with the twist at the end that the catharsis I was expecting suddenly came into a halt
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Thoughts:
I have so many questions, let me start with that
I have so many questions, let me start with that
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-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
This is a very well penned debut novel. I have read quite a few books referencing the Chinese Myth so certain details, ornate descriptions of the setting and characters for example, are expected and this book did just that. And it executed it beautifully.
What separates a good book from being the usual retelling (especially if there's thousands of retellings out there) are the twists while staying true to the referenced myth.
I liked how the author combined the myth while introducing the reader to a whole new perspective. The shock value of the twists, while it made my jaw drop and raise my eyebrows; didn't peak for a long time. Probably because with the atrempt to be ornate with the descriptions, unnecessary hifalutin words were used which takes the sizzling climax away faster than intended.
As a fantasy book, there aren't too many characters introduced which made it easier to keep up with the plot and feel the characters. While I did not thoroughly loved the FMC on the first two parts of the book, I did like her character development. The romantic notions were subtle but enough - which makes the romantic interactions more endearing.
What separates a good book from being the usual retelling (especially if there's thousands of retellings out there) are the twists while staying true to the referenced myth.
I liked how the author combined the myth while introducing the reader to a whole new perspective. The shock value of the twists, while it made my jaw drop and raise my eyebrows; didn't peak for a long time. Probably because with the atrempt to be ornate with the descriptions, unnecessary hifalutin words were used which takes the sizzling climax away faster than intended.
As a fantasy book, there aren't too many characters introduced which made it easier to keep up with the plot and feel the characters. While I did not thoroughly loved the FMC on the first two parts of the book, I did like her character development. The romantic notions were subtle but enough - which makes the romantic interactions more endearing.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
[Blurbs @goodreads]
Illustrations from a mysterious book of fairy tales drawn in the late 1800s are coming to life in the 21st Century and causing havoc. The illustrations were originally painted by a Victorian artist called Jeter Day who disappeared one night in an enchanted forest when he was spirited away by tree nymphs never to be seen again…
Compared to the other volumes in the series, this one is short abd straight to the point. The graphics are pretty cool and the plot is somewhat awesome too. I mean fairy tales coming into life caused by another fairy tale mania, how often does that happen?
FMCs caused a string of events that lead to them fixing it at the end. Couple of challenges along the way in righting what is wrong with the help of the villain's long distant grand daughter. I was surprised quite a bit with the twist at the end and I just wished the story was explored a little bit more to get a glimpse about the nymphs and how all the problems started.
All in all the graphics are cool, the story is okay but it was cut too short.
Illustrations from a mysterious book of fairy tales drawn in the late 1800s are coming to life in the 21st Century and causing havoc. The illustrations were originally painted by a Victorian artist called Jeter Day who disappeared one night in an enchanted forest when he was spirited away by tree nymphs never to be seen again…
Compared to the other volumes in the series, this one is short abd straight to the point. The graphics are pretty cool and the plot is somewhat awesome too. I mean fairy tales coming into life caused by another fairy tale mania, how often does that happen?
FMCs caused a string of events that lead to them fixing it at the end. Couple of challenges along the way in righting what is wrong with the help of the villain's long distant grand daughter. I was surprised quite a bit with the twist at the end and I just wished the story was explored a little bit more to get a glimpse about the nymphs and how all the problems started.
All in all the graphics are cool, the story is okay but it was cut too short.
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Okay, so this one is a little bit tough for me to swallow-literally. I wanted so bad to like it, but I didn't and I wanted to DNF it but I ploughed through. I must've still possessed the forgiving senses early on this year.
Quick Summary:
1. Mafia Princess spends one night with the Ricci family's Hitman while engaged. Said Hitman, poetically so fell in love with the FMC (and when I say poetically, I am not exaggerating with the excessive use of unnecessary descriptives)
2. MC forced the FMC to wed him right after killing the Fiancée. Had his other reason why marriage was necessary
3. Badabum Badabam, nothing much happened. Little bit of twist here and there with revelations. The end.
📌Thoughts:
1. While I appreciate the adjectives on how obsessed MC is to FMC, the man seriously needed to think through his priorities
2. There is more or less 16years age gap between MC and FMC (latter being shy 20years old) and while this is not usually a deal breaker, FMC's age showed in this book. Mafia Princess my as* more of like a brat. And annoying at that. And so damn h*rny all the f*ckin time! MC breaths and she is a putty already 😤
3. I appreciate a good sm*t but I appreciate a sm*t with a good story. There are no actual peaks on this one. Just blobs to call it a twist
Suffice to say, I tortured myself finishing this.
Quick Summary:
1. Mafia Princess spends one night with the Ricci family's Hitman while engaged. Said Hitman, poetically so fell in love with the FMC (and when I say poetically, I am not exaggerating with the excessive use of unnecessary descriptives)
2. MC forced the FMC to wed him right after killing the Fiancée. Had his other reason why marriage was necessary
3. Badabum Badabam, nothing much happened. Little bit of twist here and there with revelations. The end.
📌Thoughts:
1. While I appreciate the adjectives on how obsessed MC is to FMC, the man seriously needed to think through his priorities
2. There is more or less 16years age gap between MC and FMC (latter being shy 20years old) and while this is not usually a deal breaker, FMC's age showed in this book. Mafia Princess my as* more of like a brat. And annoying at that. And so damn h*rny all the f*ckin time! MC breaths and she is a putty already 😤
3. I appreciate a good sm*t but I appreciate a sm*t with a good story. There are no actual peaks on this one. Just blobs to call it a twist
Suffice to say, I tortured myself finishing this.
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
So this one's a little bit tricky. First half, I wanted to throw it out the window, second half I almost did 🥹😅 After Maddest Obsession, I was back on track with Made Series but after this one, I slid back to the disappointing Sweet Oblivion and let me tell you why:
[Blurb @goodreads]
Having always done what is expected of her, Mila dresses the part, only dates college boys with exemplary backgrounds, and doesn’t ask questions. Not about her papa’s absences or his refusal to let her set foot in her birthplace—Russia.
Suffocated by the rules and unanswered questions, Mila does what she’s always wanted to. She boards a plane to Moscow.
She never expected to fall for a man on the way. One with unexplained wealth, tattoos on his hands, and secrets in his eyes. But it doesn’t take long for his caress to become a rough grasp muffling her screams.
📌Thoughts:
1. FMC suck. I get the all innocent and forgiving persona. Sweet like Elena kind of vibes but she really exhibited annoyingly stupid actions and nonsensical decisions. Most probably because she is aged at shy 20 years old - still, age is not a reason to be just decide based on emotions
2. The plot flatlined. The whole premise of the captive-captor relationship was based on the fact that FMC is the daughter of the MC's mob rival. The reasons behind the MC and his rival's history is murky at best and there were no relations whatsoever to how the story ended.
3. The ending. Way to introduce a small twist, if you call it at that.
All in all, the sm*t is fine but I was just plainly irritated with how the story leaned downhill that I forgot there was sm*t to begin with.
[Blurb @goodreads]
Having always done what is expected of her, Mila dresses the part, only dates college boys with exemplary backgrounds, and doesn’t ask questions. Not about her papa’s absences or his refusal to let her set foot in her birthplace—Russia.
Suffocated by the rules and unanswered questions, Mila does what she’s always wanted to. She boards a plane to Moscow.
She never expected to fall for a man on the way. One with unexplained wealth, tattoos on his hands, and secrets in his eyes. But it doesn’t take long for his caress to become a rough grasp muffling her screams.
📌Thoughts:
1. FMC suck. I get the all innocent and forgiving persona. Sweet like Elena kind of vibes but she really exhibited annoyingly stupid actions and nonsensical decisions. Most probably because she is aged at shy 20 years old - still, age is not a reason to be just decide based on emotions
2. The plot flatlined. The whole premise of the captive-captor relationship was based on the fact that FMC is the daughter of the MC's mob rival. The reasons behind the MC and his rival's history is murky at best and there were no relations whatsoever to how the story ended.
3. The ending. Way to introduce a small twist, if you call it at that.
All in all, the sm*t is fine but I was just plainly irritated with how the story leaned downhill that I forgot there was sm*t to begin with.
I'm sorry I didn't mean to be a grinch on a holiday book but this right here is one of the reasons why I do away from holiday romance books.
1. No character is likeable. I liked the FMC at the beginning but seriously, excusing lame ass behaviour over a empathy?
2. The parents, especially the FMC's mother is seriously annoying. How can she be so understanding about other people's emotions and situation while disregarding how said situation might have impacted her daughter?
3. The MC
1. No character is likeable. I liked the FMC at the beginning but seriously, excusing lame ass behaviour over a empathy?
2. The parents, especially the FMC's mother is seriously annoying. How can she be so understanding about other people's emotions and situation while disregarding how said situation might have impacted her daughter?
3. The MC