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obscurepages's Reviews (410)
This was so good, my heart is so full! I Wish You All the Best is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. It shows the readers the struggle of non-binary people like Ben, and at the same time, it shows that with the right people beside you, everything will be okay. I'm so glad this was a happy ending, Ben deserves all the love and happiness.
My favorite part would have to be how the book talked about being non-binary, and being queer. I learned so much in this book and it helped me understand non-binary people better. Kudos to the author!
My favorite part would have to be how the book talked about being non-binary, and being queer. I learned so much in this book and it helped me understand non-binary people better. Kudos to the author!
This was simply brilliant! The author gave us such a heartwarming story about opening up and striving to be your true selves. The transgender rep was great and I'll forever cherish George's story! Also, the audiobook narrator is a damn good one! Wow, wow, wow!
This book. Wow. I don't even know what to say about it exactly. It's dark, it's haunting, it's atmospheric. But it's also very, real, and raw, witty and snarky. The characters are complex and they're far from having the perfect moral compass, but that's what makes the whole story so interesting for me. We see them get consumed by revenge, sadness, lust, greed. The romance in this book is nothing I expected as well. It was humorous and tender, but also violent and melancholic. And before I forget, the prose is so damn beautiful?!?!? For a book with such a grim setting/plot, the author still managed to weave prose that is both equally disturbing and breathtaking (I don't know if that made sense, but that's what I thought. And I loved it!
OMG THIS IS PERFECT. This was so precious and so wholesome. I loved Rick's character development! I loved the writing style and I loved the way gender and sexuality was tackled in the story—with such care and love and understanding! That's how it should be. And I wish that's how it was in real life, too. But hey, this book is a hopeful story and change starts here.
Everybody please go read this book! Read it to your kids, your parents, your friends, your students, everyone!
Everybody please go read this book! Read it to your kids, your parents, your friends, your students, everyone!
The Unspoken Name is a glorious story and an epic journey about a girl who learns how to defy her fate, to make her own choices, and to pursue freedom.
My thoughts on The Unspoken Name
It's hard to discuss The Unspoken Name as if it's only one book because it doesn't seem like only one book. The story starts with Csorwe (pronounced as ksor-way) as a 14-year-old girl, ready to sacrifice herself, ready to accept her destiny, because she doesn't know anything else. She doesn't think she has any other choice. But lo and behold, she meets Sethennai, a powerful wizard, who tells her she can escape and have a chance at a different life. From there, Csorwe's long and epic journey starts.
The world-building in this book is vast, expansive. There are many cities, kingdoms, different tribes/races, with different religions and gods. It's all so unique, and mysterious, and exciting. The pronunciation guide at the beginning of the book also adds more allure to the world, because it's not just a simple guide on how to pronounce the names of the characters or places. It also gives a glimpse into the various languages they use—how certain letters are pronounced, how certain parts sound. Also, the imagery in this book is just amazing. The author took the readers to various places—from shrines, to mountains, to palaces, to caves, and tombs.
The plot is intricate, the story spans 8 years after all. Since Csorwe's initial escape, to her training as an assassin and the mage's shadow, to going on an assignment and meeting someone who made her want to pursue what she wanted (and not what she was told), a lot has happened. And although the various events seem like they're not related at first, they all interconnect at one point and they all make sense at the end. I loved the plot twists in this book. They're the kind of plot twists that I should have seen coming, but I didn't, and they're just so shockingly good.
The character arcs are just wonderful to witness. Take Csorwe for example. She starts as this quiet, feeble girl and grows into a dangerous assassin and learns to really be herself and do what she wants (especially at the end of the book). Another character arc I came to love so much is Tal Charossa. I'm going to be honest and say that I hated his guts for most part of the book. He was annoying, kept butting heads with Csorwe, and was just blinded by his emotions. However, he unlocked some character development by the end of the book, and I really liked that.
Of course, I loved the addition of the romance, too. It's slow burn, the kind that made me want to jump when they finally got together! It's not the main aspect of the story, but it definitely changed Csorwe for the better.[kind of a spoiler, but I just want to say that they're pretty much soft yet badass girlfriends and I love them]
Last but not the least, the writing style and the overall tone of the book is also commendable. It's mysterious, but also quite humorous in several parts. It's hard for me to look away from the pages because it's just so intriguing, and I love how the author inserted humor, whether it be in the characters' inner thoughts or the current situation.
Overall, The Unspoken Name is such a great read for me! I’m excited to see this book in the wild!
(This review was first published on Enthralled Bookworm.)
My thoughts on The Unspoken Name
It's hard to discuss The Unspoken Name as if it's only one book because it doesn't seem like only one book. The story starts with Csorwe (pronounced as ksor-way) as a 14-year-old girl, ready to sacrifice herself, ready to accept her destiny, because she doesn't know anything else. She doesn't think she has any other choice. But lo and behold, she meets Sethennai, a powerful wizard, who tells her she can escape and have a chance at a different life. From there, Csorwe's long and epic journey starts.
The world-building in this book is vast, expansive. There are many cities, kingdoms, different tribes/races, with different religions and gods. It's all so unique, and mysterious, and exciting. The pronunciation guide at the beginning of the book also adds more allure to the world, because it's not just a simple guide on how to pronounce the names of the characters or places. It also gives a glimpse into the various languages they use—how certain letters are pronounced, how certain parts sound. Also, the imagery in this book is just amazing. The author took the readers to various places—from shrines, to mountains, to palaces, to caves, and tombs.
The plot is intricate, the story spans 8 years after all. Since Csorwe's initial escape, to her training as an assassin and the mage's shadow, to going on an assignment and meeting someone who made her want to pursue what she wanted (and not what she was told), a lot has happened. And although the various events seem like they're not related at first, they all interconnect at one point and they all make sense at the end. I loved the plot twists in this book. They're the kind of plot twists that I should have seen coming, but I didn't, and they're just so shockingly good.
The character arcs are just wonderful to witness. Take Csorwe for example. She starts as this quiet, feeble girl and grows into a dangerous assassin and learns to really be herself and do what she wants (especially at the end of the book). Another character arc I came to love so much is Tal Charossa. I'm going to be honest and say that I hated his guts for most part of the book. He was annoying, kept butting heads with Csorwe, and was just blinded by his emotions. However, he unlocked some character development by the end of the book, and I really liked that.
Of course, I loved the addition of the romance, too. It's slow burn, the kind that made me want to jump when they finally got together! It's not the main aspect of the story, but it definitely changed Csorwe for the better.
Last but not the least, the writing style and the overall tone of the book is also commendable. It's mysterious, but also quite humorous in several parts. It's hard for me to look away from the pages because it's just so intriguing, and I love how the author inserted humor, whether it be in the characters' inner thoughts or the current situation.
Overall, The Unspoken Name is such a great read for me! I’m excited to see this book in the wild!
(This review was first published on Enthralled Bookworm.)
Uhm what? That was it? Wow, I think the movie was better. The story's definitely interesting but I feel like there could have been more? I feel like the movie took the story to new heights and that was what I was looking for in the book.
I was excited for this book because it sounds interesting and the author gave me copy to read and review a few months back.
Unfortunately, I had a hard time reading this. Something about the writing style is just not clicking with me and the pace of the story is slow. Although, I love a couple of slow-paced stories, I did not like it in this one. I'm confused about a lot of things because not much is explained. There's little to no details about past events or people, so I kept trying to go back a few pages.
I gave this one try, but I promised myself that if I reached 50% and I'm still indifferent about the story, I would (this pains me to say it) let it go. I just reached 50%.
I'm sure there are others who would love this book. But sadly, I think I'm not fit for this.
Unfortunately, I had a hard time reading this. Something about the writing style is just not clicking with me and the pace of the story is slow. Although, I love a couple of slow-paced stories, I did not like it in this one. I'm confused about a lot of things because not much is explained. There's little to no details about past events or people, so I kept trying to go back a few pages.
I gave this one try, but I promised myself that if I reached 50% and I'm still indifferent about the story, I would (this pains me to say it) let it go. I just reached 50%.
I'm sure there are others who would love this book. But sadly, I think I'm not fit for this.
This was a great read! Loved getting to learn about other serial killers from different parts of the world. Also, it was interesting to know how the authorities caught these criminals. And at the same time, it was also interesting to learn about the different moments of incompetence and negligence that happens then until now.
Wow, wow, wow! This was so good! The writing style is so atmospheric and vivid I could swear I'm in that alternate Cairo with Fatma. Loved the mythology and the fantasy infused in the story as well! Only reason I'm not giving this 5 stars is that the ending felt a little safe, anticlimactic if you will. Nevertheless, this was an amazing novella and I would love to read more stories in the same setting!
I received an e-arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much Sourcebooks Casablanca!
Months ago, I saw this book in an Entertainment Weekly article and I craved for it immediately, because, hello, queer romance plus rivals-to-lovers trope?! Yes please! Now, after reading it, I know this book captured my heart indeed.
Conventionally Yours is a fun, wholesome, nerdy, and romantic novel that will take you on a road trip and a convention you’ll never forget.
You know what I think? I think Conventionally Yours would make a great queer rom-com movie. I just feel it in my bones! It’s a story that will make you laugh and will make you cry. It’s a story that will make you root for the characters, make you feel for their wants and their sorrows. It’s a story filled with tension, self-realizations, and humorous moments. It’s a story you won’t easily forget.
The writing style is great. I loved how the author really managed to capture both Conrad and Alden’s perspectives and highlight their innermost desires, their motivations, their insecurities, their melancholy.
The main characters are relatable, even in the little ways, and I love it. I related to Alden and his doubts about his future and career, the pressure he felt about his next steps. And I related to Conrad with his perfectionist and anxiety-ridden preparations to switch lanes and look for the exits when driving (oddly specific, but I swear we vibed and I felt seen because I thought I was the only one??? anyway). I loved their character arcs! It was amazing to see these two characters try to survive two weeks of road-tripping. In those two weeks, I saw them tolerate each other, be civil with one another, get to know each other, fall in love, build tension, resist temptation, give in to said temptation, face a new kind of conflict, try to resolve said conflict, and go through some self-realizations. I loved this kind of journey, and the rivals-to-lovers trope really showed near the end of the book.
Odyssey, both the game and the convention, is particularly interesting as well. I loved reading about this tabletop game—all the characters, and moves, and cards—and I loved knowing how this one simple game could mean so much to Conrad and Alden. For me, this shows the beauty of a fandom, of being a fangirl or a fanboy, of being passionate about something, of finding meaning or a sense of belonging. It was amazing!
And of course, I also loved the queer representation in this book. There are so many queer characters! Sapphic moms, gay characters, professor husbands, a nonbinary character, and probably more. And some are presented so casually, it was almost too wonderful to see. With that said, it’s not all rainbows. A character is kicked out by his family and we see him struggle and overcome that conflict.
I think the only things I didn’t exactly like are the fact that [redacted] and [redacted] made fun of [redacted] for being a virgin in one scene (that was a little cringe-worthy), and that the minor characters are somehow overshadowed. But apart from that, this book is just too good and there were definitely tears in my eyes when I finished reading.
(This review was first published onEnthralled Bookworm.)
Months ago, I saw this book in an Entertainment Weekly article and I craved for it immediately, because, hello, queer romance plus rivals-to-lovers trope?! Yes please! Now, after reading it, I know this book captured my heart indeed.
Conventionally Yours is a fun, wholesome, nerdy, and romantic novel that will take you on a road trip and a convention you’ll never forget.
You know what I think? I think Conventionally Yours would make a great queer rom-com movie. I just feel it in my bones! It’s a story that will make you laugh and will make you cry. It’s a story that will make you root for the characters, make you feel for their wants and their sorrows. It’s a story filled with tension, self-realizations, and humorous moments. It’s a story you won’t easily forget.
The writing style is great. I loved how the author really managed to capture both Conrad and Alden’s perspectives and highlight their innermost desires, their motivations, their insecurities, their melancholy.
The main characters are relatable, even in the little ways, and I love it. I related to Alden and his doubts about his future and career, the pressure he felt about his next steps. And I related to Conrad with his perfectionist and anxiety-ridden preparations to switch lanes and look for the exits when driving (oddly specific, but I swear we vibed and I felt seen because I thought I was the only one??? anyway). I loved their character arcs! It was amazing to see these two characters try to survive two weeks of road-tripping. In those two weeks, I saw them tolerate each other, be civil with one another, get to know each other, fall in love, build tension, resist temptation, give in to said temptation, face a new kind of conflict, try to resolve said conflict, and go through some self-realizations. I loved this kind of journey, and the rivals-to-lovers trope really showed near the end of the book.
Odyssey, both the game and the convention, is particularly interesting as well. I loved reading about this tabletop game—all the characters, and moves, and cards—and I loved knowing how this one simple game could mean so much to Conrad and Alden. For me, this shows the beauty of a fandom, of being a fangirl or a fanboy, of being passionate about something, of finding meaning or a sense of belonging. It was amazing!
And of course, I also loved the queer representation in this book. There are so many queer characters! Sapphic moms, gay characters, professor husbands, a nonbinary character, and probably more. And some are presented so casually, it was almost too wonderful to see. With that said, it’s not all rainbows. A character is kicked out by his family and we see him struggle and overcome that conflict.
I think the only things I didn’t exactly like are the fact that [redacted] and [redacted] made fun of [redacted] for being a virgin in one scene (that was a little cringe-worthy), and that the minor characters are somehow overshadowed. But apart from that, this book is just too good and there were definitely tears in my eyes when I finished reading.
(This review was first published onEnthralled Bookworm.)