obscurepages's Reviews (410)

DNF @52%

It's 2024 so I'm officially dropping this 😭

I really just wasn't feeling the MC at all, and not much has happened yet. Also I wasn't feeling the love triangle, some of the MC's feelings and thoughts towards the love interests just don't make sense to me. I've kept this book for a long time in "current reads" for a long time since last year, but I think it's time to let go.

I truly appreciate Page Street YA for sending over an ARC my way.

My first read of 2024! 🎉

Was this cheesy, chaotic, and a bit predictable? Yes. But was it also cute, relatable, and enjoyable? HELL YES 😭😂

This was so good!! I loved the various queer rep in here. Panromantic ace MC? Pansexual LI? Plus sapphics and gays as minor characters? I loved it 😭 I also loved reading Joy's experience and perspective as a disabled, fat, and queer person. I also loved how this showed having a good queer community and support system is important, especially for queer youth.

As for the story, this was light and funny, but also touched upon serious topics. I do feel like some parts were rushed, especially the end. And I kinda wish the story dove more into these serious aspects? But hey, I still had a good time and I enjoyed reading this a lot. 🥺

Okay I'm convinced that the copy I got from Libby is somehow defective??? 😭😂 Either that or the fact that I need to read more this genre (eldritch horror). I mean, the synopsis sounds really good and I loved the artwork and color. But yeah, I am confused 😭😂 I think I would have really loved this though. 

 This YA/MG Middle Eastern-inspired fantasy is profound in every way. I know middle grade and graphic novels are usually ignored (ehem Goodreads 🙄), but this was amazing.

Squire, in its essence, is a story about identity and culture, about glory and purpose, and about colonialist and imperialist agendas. Aiza wanted to join the military for glory and a better chance at life. But she soon found out just what the military truly represents, and what it does to her people.

The storytelling in this book was just so good. And themes were handled really well—from the family to friendship to racism and colonialism. I also have to commend the writer because they kept the dialogue simple and straightforward, even though they were highlighting more serious or heavier themes. It made some scenes even more impactful for me. A couple of times in the book, I had to stop just to admire the scene I was reading.

Also, the artwork and the colors? They were amazing! And to discover that most of the art was inspired by the illustrator's trip to Jordan and Turkey? You just know that these authors care a lot about this story and want to make it the best it can be. I think they did a great job.

Some scenes just feel rushed/disjointed, but other than that, this book was just incredible. 

OKAY *this* book is my favorite so far in the series 😭😂

This was sweet for me, in a way we've gone full circle. Because in this book we see Murderbot reunite with the people that kind of started this journey of self-discovery and free will. The first people Murderbot can consider as "friends". And Murderbot has grown so much, even they can see it. Here we see just how human and vulnerable and different Murderbot has gotten, and I can't help but feel proud. Yes, it's still not human and it doesn't like pretending to be human. But it feels things, it goes through emotions and has reactions. It's discovering things it likes, it still likes media and how they make it feel. Murderbot is discovering how it is to be human in some way and I love it 😭 And them not knowing what to do, except watching media? So relatable 😂

Anyway, I just love this installment so much 🥹 It's still action-packed of course, and it's funny, and it just takes you on a ride.

Romance fans will have fun with this I just know it 😭😂

This was just sweet and entertaining from start to finish. This gave me a lot of insights in the publishing scene here in the Philippines (and did it also reignite my dreams of working in publishing? Yeah kind of 😆) The story also played well with a lot of romance tropes, which can get funny and meta. On the other hand, this also discussed writing and tropes in science fiction and fantasy worlds, which was also entertaining for me. 

Loved Emma and Kip as main characters. They're just the biggest nerds! But I also loved getting to know their journey and development as characters. They weren't perfect, for sure, (especially Emma with some of her questionable decisions lol), but I was rooting for them to grow.

I guess I just wished there was more time or more scenes where we see their relationship develop (or maybe this is just me wanting a lot of pining angst 😂) Either way, definitely wanted more on that area.

Also looking back as a whole, this book really fits with romcoms or love stories loved by many Filipinos! Most Filipinos are hopeless romantics and want that happy ending. It can get messy, it can get frustrating, but love is almost always something most of us really bet on.

Anyway overall, this was good. I'm not the most avid romance reader, but I did enjoy this!

Exact rating: 3.5

CW: sexual content on-page, death of a parent, grief, mentions of H*rry P*tter as well

This was really nice! Loved the colors and the art style in here. And also the way this book highlighted Muslim American identity, friendship, and young adulthood was so deliberate and relatable. I was questioning Nayra and her decisions, but I was also rooting for her and her journey! I do kinda wish Rami had more backstory, too.

I also liked that we got a glimpse of Islamic folklore in this story! Although I wish there was more, it was still nice and I loved the storytelling!

Some dialogues and panels can get confusing sometimes, and the tone sort of shifts from time to time for me. But other than that, this was just really entertaining and wholesome 🥹

CW: Islamophobia, bullying

Wow. Wow wow wow. This was a short read yes, but it's an insightful and impactful commentary on the harm gender binary brings to people and society.

The first few parts spoke about the author's personal journey and queer people in America. But as the book delved into faulty arguments and instances and the existence of queer people in other communities, the more I got angry and upset. Angry and upset because I see that as well in my own country, in the LGBTQ+ people here. This made me think so much about our own problems here, and how I still hope for the better. How we can move beyond the gender binary.

I think I won't forget about this book quite easily.

It is 2:30 AM and I'm giggling, on my bed, kicking my feet 😭😂 This was so wholesome and pure and every thing I like about a fanfic (and I'm talking about all the pining, angst, fluff, and low stakes vibes) 🥹

I loved Eli and Alex and all their journey throughout this story. I loved how communication was so important as a foundation of their relationship. Also the mental health rep and the discussions about gender and sexuality? Precious.

And listen I know next to nothing about figure skating and hockey, but yeah I was rooting for Eli and Alex's games and competitions 😂 You know what, there's just something about queer sports romance, I guess.

This truly does read and feel like a fanfic. And that for me, is a compliment.

Exact rating: 4.5/5

"But I am not an NPC. I refuse to be one."

If anyone saw me cry at 2 AM because of this book, NO YOU DID NOT. 😂

This was so, so good. It's short, it's simple, and it packs quite a punch. This book is very much a story about the good and the bad of experiencing young love, and the changes youth need to go through as we grow.

I love that this book highlighted the naivety and misguidedness of young love, the fear of things changing and things not going into plan, of how friendships and a good support system from family can be everything for someone, and how relationships are ultimately more than just love and attraction. The author got all of this on point and oh it was so good. Made my heart ache yes, but it was so, so good.

I also love how funny and light the writing style, but the storytelling still didn't shy away from these serious topics. I love the nostalgia the author created with Internet cafes 😆 And the fact that Philippine mythology was a big part of the video game in the story! (Like how cool?!)

Overall, For the Win was just entertaining and deeply moving. If you need a good cry or you just want to be reminded of young love, this might be it for you 😆

Exact rating: 4.5

Thank you Penguin SEA and author for the e-ARC! This of course does not affect my overall opinion of the book.