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mj_reads's Reviews (415)
So I’m going through the reread this year very slowly, but this is my umpteenth time reading Goblet of Fire and I still manage to love it more and more every time.
Alright Kiddos lets talk about why Goblet of Fire is perfect:
- Complex & well thought out plot that has you guessing the entire time, but doesn’t have an obvious answer which lets the end be equal parts surprising and satisfying.
- Introduction of new characters, plus a focus on some minor characters, which not only adds variety to this plot but also ends up being important later on.
- But seriously shout out to JKR for now writing or adding throw away characters into her plots just for the sake of spicing things up.
- The story starts to turn dark, like quite literally we finally get to see and experience what it was like when Voldemort was in power, it creates a really interesting perspective and understanding of how things were, and what could potentially come next.
- Despite the major events that unfold at the end of this, GoF is just a lot of fun. Things are starting to get fishy in the magical world but we get to watch everyone have fun with the quidditch world cup, the triwizard tournament, the yule ball, plus just normal everyday Hogwarts activities.
- Watching the events of the triwizard tournament unfold was great because we get to watch Harry grow as a character and as a wizard. Plus the introduction of lots of new spells and magical creatures!!! Truly amazing.
I’m sure I’m forgetting a lot but basically GoF has a lot of fun things that kind of lessen the blow of this super dramatic and dark ending. Which is good because I just fill with rage at the thought of book 5. But either way, on to the next one!!
Alright Kiddos lets talk about why Goblet of Fire is perfect:
- Complex & well thought out plot that has you guessing the entire time, but doesn’t have an obvious answer which lets the end be equal parts surprising and satisfying.
- Introduction of new characters, plus a focus on some minor characters, which not only adds variety to this plot but also ends up being important later on.
- But seriously shout out to JKR for now writing or adding throw away characters into her plots just for the sake of spicing things up.
- The story starts to turn dark, like quite literally we finally get to see and experience what it was like when Voldemort was in power, it creates a really interesting perspective and understanding of how things were, and what could potentially come next.
- Despite the major events that unfold at the end of this, GoF is just a lot of fun. Things are starting to get fishy in the magical world but we get to watch everyone have fun with the quidditch world cup, the triwizard tournament, the yule ball, plus just normal everyday Hogwarts activities.
- Watching the events of the triwizard tournament unfold was great because we get to watch Harry grow as a character and as a wizard. Plus the introduction of lots of new spells and magical creatures!!! Truly amazing.
I’m sure I’m forgetting a lot but basically GoF has a lot of fun things that kind of lessen the blow of this super dramatic and dark ending. Which is good because I just fill with rage at the thought of book 5. But either way, on to the next one!!
This book was so...heavy. It tackles a very ugly topic, in a very beautiful way. It brings up all the ugly conversations about rape culture that no one wants to have, but that everyone needs to have.
This book has a diverse cast of characters, which allows for a large variation of opinions for the content discussed. This allows the characters to discuss a lot of the different arguments and opinions on the subject without it feeling forced. Not only does the diverse cast allow for so many angles on the discussion, but it also helps demonstrate that what happens in this story is real and it can happen to anyone.
The Nowhere Girls is loosely based on a lot of the controversial cases that prompt discussion about rape culture in todays society. Because of this there are a lot of realistic parallels to things that most readers have already been exposed to through the media. This makes the content a bit uncomfortable because readers are unable to just throw blinders on and live in this fictional world. While this makes the book a bit uncomfortable to read, I think this is also the book's best quality.
This book was incredibly well written. I loved every character, I could understand WHY they felt some type of way in certain situations - even when I didn't agree with the opinions (ie: 90% of the dudes and adults in this) the realistic nature of this book let me see WHY they said certain things or acted a certain way.
Everything about this book had me wanting to binge it just so that I could pick it up and read it again and again. Nothing is held back from this story, its ugly (in a good way), it gets into your head and under your skin, it pushes boundaries and makes you uncomfortable. But more than that, this story is so empowering. We don't just see the ugly side of this story, we also see the side that is full of hope and female empowerment. We see characters face their demons even when every single person around them is denying everything they are saying. We see incredible female friendships and relationships, we see support and power and so much strength. This story is a difficult read but it is worth the read. The message here is one that everyone should have to read.
This book has a diverse cast of characters, which allows for a large variation of opinions for the content discussed. This allows the characters to discuss a lot of the different arguments and opinions on the subject without it feeling forced. Not only does the diverse cast allow for so many angles on the discussion, but it also helps demonstrate that what happens in this story is real and it can happen to anyone.
The Nowhere Girls is loosely based on a lot of the controversial cases that prompt discussion about rape culture in todays society. Because of this there are a lot of realistic parallels to things that most readers have already been exposed to through the media. This makes the content a bit uncomfortable because readers are unable to just throw blinders on and live in this fictional world. While this makes the book a bit uncomfortable to read, I think this is also the book's best quality.
This book was incredibly well written. I loved every character, I could understand WHY they felt some type of way in certain situations - even when I didn't agree with the opinions (ie: 90% of the dudes and adults in this) the realistic nature of this book let me see WHY they said certain things or acted a certain way.
Everything about this book had me wanting to binge it just so that I could pick it up and read it again and again. Nothing is held back from this story, its ugly (in a good way), it gets into your head and under your skin, it pushes boundaries and makes you uncomfortable. But more than that, this story is so empowering. We don't just see the ugly side of this story, we also see the side that is full of hope and female empowerment. We see characters face their demons even when every single person around them is denying everything they are saying. We see incredible female friendships and relationships, we see support and power and so much strength. This story is a difficult read but it is worth the read. The message here is one that everyone should have to read.
Well, there isn’t that much about this that is worth saying. This book was better than I anticipated, but more in an entertaining way rather than it actually being a good book. This is basically the first book in the Gossip Girl series but rather than being obsessed with fashion, all of our upper east side characters are obsessed with death and plotting how to kill one another.
It’s a little too cheesy to actually be worth calling this a slasher. I honestly didn’t consider this to be all that gory but I guess other readers might. It’s graphic but not detailed, while readers do see explanations of how someone dies it isn’t really that vivid. But I suppose that all comes down to perspective.
Honestly I think I liked this better than the original story. Rather than characters being super fake to one another, they fight things out and while it was incredibly dramatic and over the top, it was better than watching them go back and forth from loving and hating each other.
It wasn’t great, but it wasn’t awful. I’d probably read it again if I’m ever in the mood for something cheesy.
(also this low key has me wanting to reread the GG series lmao yikes)
It’s a little too cheesy to actually be worth calling this a slasher. I honestly didn’t consider this to be all that gory but I guess other readers might. It’s graphic but not detailed, while readers do see explanations of how someone dies it isn’t really that vivid. But I suppose that all comes down to perspective.
Honestly I think I liked this better than the original story. Rather than characters being super fake to one another, they fight things out and while it was incredibly dramatic and over the top, it was better than watching them go back and forth from loving and hating each other.
It wasn’t great, but it wasn’t awful. I’d probably read it again if I’m ever in the mood for something cheesy.
(also this low key has me wanting to reread the GG series lmao yikes)
I was given an copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way impacted my review.
"What good is your crown
If it’s made of thorns
And carries the weight of your guilt?”
Rating and reviewing books of poems is always a bit difficult for me. Mainly because it is so clear when the author pours so much of their heart into their work, and also because a large part of the enjoyment of these books is based on how much I personally related with the content.
That being said, the poems in this compilation are well written. They create nice pictures, and they make the reader feel something. They are all pretty easy to understand and follow, but not in a way that makes them overly simple. I found that I enjoyed the shorter poems more than the longer ones, but I think that was just a personal preference. I think the lengthier poems felt like they were trying to say a lot and for me I wasn’t always sure what that was unless I read it a few times. I’m going with a solid three stars here because while it is well written, I think the author is still trying to find her voice throughout this book. I think there is a lot of potential here and I am hoping to follow her growth as she writes more material.
This is definitely worth reading, the author touches on a lot of important topics that I think some people will appreciate more than I was able too!
If it’s made of thorns
And carries the weight of your guilt?”
Rating and reviewing books of poems is always a bit difficult for me. Mainly because it is so clear when the author pours so much of their heart into their work, and also because a large part of the enjoyment of these books is based on how much I personally related with the content.
That being said, the poems in this compilation are well written. They create nice pictures, and they make the reader feel something. They are all pretty easy to understand and follow, but not in a way that makes them overly simple. I found that I enjoyed the shorter poems more than the longer ones, but I think that was just a personal preference. I think the lengthier poems felt like they were trying to say a lot and for me I wasn’t always sure what that was unless I read it a few times. I’m going with a solid three stars here because while it is well written, I think the author is still trying to find her voice throughout this book. I think there is a lot of potential here and I am hoping to follow her growth as she writes more material.
This is definitely worth reading, the author touches on a lot of important topics that I think some people will appreciate more than I was able too!
I’ve honestly lost track of how many times I have read this series but its FINE. Order of the Phoenix is always the book I dread reading the most despite the fact that I actually have no issues with it while I’m reading it. There is just so much that happens in this one that I DON’T LIKE and wish I could avoid and yet it is all so important to the plot so my heart must suffer through it time, and time again.
I frequently refer to this one as my least favorite but that is only because whenever I read anything about Umbridge I want to tear my book in half. SO yeah enough about THAT, here is a list of things I love in this one.
- NEVILLE FUCKING LONGBOTTOM. Like I always had a soft spot in my heart for him but this book, this FUCKING book is the one where my love for him grows to enormous amounts.
- Ginny finally getting credit she deserves. Love seeing her finally become a character that gets a decent amount of attention!!
- The DA, and all of their meetings. Enough said.
- “GIVE HER HELL FROM US PEEVES” ICONIC.
- Thestrals!!!! I love them!
- Luna Lovegood. She is so odd in this one but like, I’m here for it, you feel me?
- Harry’s angst. Like yes boo don’t ignore your feelings let it all out. Plus the fact that not once but TWICE people walk into a room after Harry is shouting about shit and are like “Oh I thought I heard Harry shouting” like it’s the most normal thing in the world.
- All the preparation for what comes next, kinda boring but honestly so important so I can dig it.
- Even tho I hate Umbridge I gotta appreciate that Rowling could create a character who has such an impact on me.
- Plus also just all of the feels that are tied into this book, UGH.
Idk I think one of the other reasons I’m not as crazy about this one as I am the rest is because half blood prince is my favorite so while I’m reading this one I’m just wanting to get through it so I can read book 6 instead. Oops. BUT ANYWAYS ONTO THE NEXT ONE.
I frequently refer to this one as my least favorite but that is only because whenever I read anything about Umbridge I want to tear my book in half. SO yeah enough about THAT, here is a list of things I love in this one.
- NEVILLE FUCKING LONGBOTTOM. Like I always had a soft spot in my heart for him but this book, this FUCKING book is the one where my love for him grows to enormous amounts.
- Ginny finally getting credit she deserves. Love seeing her finally become a character that gets a decent amount of attention!!
- The DA, and all of their meetings. Enough said.
- “GIVE HER HELL FROM US PEEVES” ICONIC.
- Thestrals!!!! I love them!
- Luna Lovegood. She is so odd in this one but like, I’m here for it, you feel me?
- Harry’s angst. Like yes boo don’t ignore your feelings let it all out. Plus the fact that not once but TWICE people walk into a room after Harry is shouting about shit and are like “Oh I thought I heard Harry shouting” like it’s the most normal thing in the world.
- All the preparation for what comes next, kinda boring but honestly so important so I can dig it.
- Even tho I hate Umbridge I gotta appreciate that Rowling could create a character who has such an impact on me.
- Plus also just all of the feels that are tied into this book, UGH.
Idk I think one of the other reasons I’m not as crazy about this one as I am the rest is because half blood prince is my favorite so while I’m reading this one I’m just wanting to get through it so I can read book 6 instead. Oops. BUT ANYWAYS ONTO THE NEXT ONE.
Half Blood Prince has always been my favorite book in the series. I just love everything about it. It’s the perfect balance of fun and serious, of plot and character drama, and of filler and plot development. It’s just so well balanced and I love it! To keep with tradition of my HP reviews since there isn’t much I can say about this series that hasn’t already been said, I will now list everything I loved and appreciated while rereading this.
- Slug Club.
- Fleur and Bill!!!! Ugh my heart.
- GINNY
- GINNY AND HARRY. A DREAM COME TRUE EVERY TIME.
- The scene where Ginny says Ron has a pygmy puff tattoo lmao my fave
- All the hints of Hermione and Ron having feelings for each other like yes pls hurry up and kiss already.
- I love the flashbacks to young tom’s life, I always forget how detailed they are and how much we really learn since the movie skips so much of it
- Learning about horcruxes finally, so important to the series and it finally answers so many questions.
Idk this book is just the perfect amount of serious and fun before everything explodes in the next book. It’s everything my HP loving and shipping heart needs. Plus, it sets the serious tone for the rest of the series, it’s emotional and exciting and everything I need it to be. I love it. I love this book. I love this series. I love it all. Okay bye.
- Slug Club.
- Fleur and Bill!!!! Ugh my heart.
- GINNY
- GINNY AND HARRY. A DREAM COME TRUE EVERY TIME.
- The scene where Ginny says Ron has a pygmy puff tattoo lmao my fave
- All the hints of Hermione and Ron having feelings for each other like yes pls hurry up and kiss already.
- I love the flashbacks to young tom’s life, I always forget how detailed they are and how much we really learn since the movie skips so much of it
- Learning about horcruxes finally, so important to the series and it finally answers so many questions.
Idk this book is just the perfect amount of serious and fun before everything explodes in the next book. It’s everything my HP loving and shipping heart needs. Plus, it sets the serious tone for the rest of the series, it’s emotional and exciting and everything I need it to be. I love it. I love this book. I love this series. I love it all. Okay bye.
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Okay so even if this was the first time that I read this book, there wouldn’t be much for me to add to the praise of this series/book that hasn’t been already said. But this was probably like my eighth time reading it, and so I also find myself unable to find anything else to say that I myself haven’t already said. So I will just write this review for the final book in my favorite series, the same way I reviewed all of its prequels, by taking a moment to shout about the things that I really appreciated THIS time around.
- THE WEDDING *heart eyes*
- How loyal Hermione is because honestly WHAT DID WE DO TO DESERVE HER?
- The epilogue because honestly every single one of my shipper heart dreams comes true here
- Narcissa Malfoy…you all know what I mean
- The deathly hallows :’)
- How everything comes full circle it’s just really NICE OKAY
And that’s it for this time around. A lot goes down in this book so those were just the top moments for me w this reread. Until next time folks.
- THE WEDDING *heart eyes*
- How loyal Hermione is because honestly WHAT DID WE DO TO DESERVE HER?
- The epilogue because honestly every single one of my shipper heart dreams comes true here
- Narcissa Malfoy…you all know what I mean
- The deathly hallows :’)
- How everything comes full circle it’s just really NICE OKAY
And that’s it for this time around. A lot goes down in this book so those were just the top moments for me w this reread. Until next time folks.
This book took me forever to read but that was mainly because I have it on kindle and just wasn't feeling ebooks for a little bit.
This was a great addition to the series, I loved everything it added to the story and can't wait to see how all the new information and all the new characters will come together in the series finale.
This was a great addition to the series, I loved everything it added to the story and can't wait to see how all the new information and all the new characters will come together in the series finale.
...is it weird that I enjoyed the first 3/4 of this where nothing happens more than the end when everything hits the fan?