raenyreads's reviews
332 reviews

The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff

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dark funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

I was really looking forward to reading this book and it did not disappoint! The main character Geeta was relatable and I enjoyed following her in this story. The side characters added a lot to the plot and were very well developed in their own right. Once the plot really got going it was very interesting though the reason this isn't a 5 star review is that I did feel a bit of a lull in the middle. However, a plot twist I didn't see coming really picked it back up for me.
Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone!
A Story of Seven Lives: The Complete Manga Collection by Gin Shirakawa

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dark emotional hopeful sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Omg I knew this was going to be emotional but DAMN it really hits hard. This broke my heart and then put it back together. I was not expecting the more violent parts but they did add to overall impact of the book. I would recommend this to everyone but do check the content warnings first!
The Audient and The Phantom Night by Sadie Hewitt

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adventurous emotional fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

3.0

A very fun read, I sped through it pretty quickly as the action kept me invested throughout. However, I can't say I cared for the main couple too much. It wasn't quite insta-love but it almost was and I just needed more development to get invested. Not sure if I'll continue the series, but maybe.
Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit by Nahoko Uehashi

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adventurous 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? Yes

4.0

I had never heard of this until about 10 minutes before I started reading it so I wasn't sure what to expect but I'd seen good reviews so I had high hopes.
I ended up really enjoying it! The writing style is pretty simple but that makes sense for a young adult fantasy book. I really appreciated the focus on an older female main character and found all the characters to be pretty well rounded.
The world created is interesting and creative. I liked all the different communities beliefs shown to us and I hope we see more in further books as I want to continue this series!
Moshi Moshi by Banana Yoshimoto

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emotional reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

2.0

Just not for me I think. I found this really boring and nearly did not finish it. It started with a strong premise but just went nowhere with it other than conversations between characters that to me felt incredibly unnatural and forced. I liked the relationship between the main character and her mother which was the only highlight of this book for me. The topics tackled by the book are important and I think provided a interesting perspective but I couldn't bring myself to get engaged by them.
I might still try the authors more popular works to see if they are for me at all.
Diary of a Void by Emi Yagi

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funny reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

This was a simple yet fun fast paced read which kept me engaged throughout. I like how it kept you guessing whether the pregnancy was real or not. The exploration of the role of mothers and women working in japan was really interesting and thoughtful.
Before Your Memory Fades by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

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emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

The first three stories in this installment were good but just lacked something for me. They either felt obvious in how they were going to go or I felt they were very similar to past stories. The last story picked up a bit and was my favourite of this set but still felt a little rushed. Overall still enjoyable but not my favourite of the series.
Moriarty the Patriot, Vol. 1 by Ryōsuke Takeuchi

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adventurous dark fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes

2.5

I wouldn't normally rate individual manga volumes but I don't think I'll continue this series so here we are. I think the concept here is an interesting one to bring into a manga. I like the premise this volume sets up and I think it could lead to an interesting story. However, things worked out just a bit too conveniently each time and the main characters intelligence was just a bit too convenient too. But my main gripe with this volume was I have never felt so beaten over the head as a reader by the message a manga is trying to portray and it really started to bug me. With the idea of 'show don't tell', this book really shows you and then tells you and then tells you again.
All the Lovers in the Night by Mieko Kawakami

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I really liked reading through this book and I read it quite quickly as i was invested throughout. I found the main character to be interesting and I enjoyed reading her development and the conversations she had with other people. I'm just not sure I fully got the book, I think some things must have gone over my head. I found the ending both satisfying and unsatisfying at the same time and maybe that was the point. Still glad I read it and I look forward to reading more from the author.
Malice by Keigo Higashino

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I found this so readable, I read through it in a day which is not the norm for me. The mystery is creatively written and defied my expectations of a typical thriller/mystery novel. The writing took a little while to get used to but once I did I was sucked in and needed to know what happened next. I really enjoyed the plot but did find the ending to be a bit quick and would have liked to see it drawn out a bit more. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more from this author.