raenyreads's reviews
332 reviews

A Magical Girl Retires by Park Seolyeon

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hopeful reflective 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? Yes

5.0

I read this book in one day, it was just so readable and I was hooked on where the story was going. Park Seolyeon manages to squeeze so much world building, character development, and plot progression into this 160 page story. I love the strong messages on topics such as justice for women and climate change told through idea of magical girls in the real world. The plot twists really surprised me at points which kept it interesting and the characters were highly relatable, especially as a 28 year old woman. I think everyone should pick this up, but especially if you grew up on Sailor Moon or other magical girl series.
The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi

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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

5.0

Akwaeke Emezi just does not miss for me. This is the fourth book I've read by this author and they have all been 4.5/5 star reads. I read 80% of this book in one sitting because I was just so hooked and needed to know where the story was going to go next. The way the trauma in this book, told to us immediately in the title, is so well unpacked and explored to give us the hugely impactful ending is a true credit to Emezi's skill as a writer. Each character felt so real, giving truth to the journey we are taken on. An amazing book I highly recommend to everyone,
Goddess of the River by Vaishnavi Patel

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adventurous emotional 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

4.5

I really enjoyed this book. The prose is so captivating and the characters had me hooked from the start. I loved seeing Ganga's character development as the events of the plot progress. I did get overwhelmed by all the character names, particularly in part 2. However, as the relationships get explained more as the book goes on, I found I could get my head around it all (my copy didn't have the family tree I know some editions have). Overall another great book by this author (Kaikeyi was my favourite book I read last year) and I can't wait to read whatever they write next.
Divine Might: Goddesses in Greek Myth by Natalie Haynes

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funny informative medium-paced

3.5

A really interesting read but I wasn't as blown away by this book as I was by Pandora's Jar (I think about Medusa all the time). I enjoyed learning about each of the goddesses, I am not very knowledgeable on Greek/Roman mythology so I definitely learned a lot. I greatly appreciate the focus on the women in mythology and I think Haynes does a great job of examining why these goddesses often get a bad reputation, or are largely forgotten, in historical and modern day media when they don't always deserve it.
Rating a 3.5 as I just never found myself engrossed like I have in previous books by Natalie Haynes but I did enjoy the content.
Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams

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adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

A very fun and quirky book, what you would expect from Douglas Adams. It was a fun journey but I wasn't very invested in the characters and I had to google the end to understand it properly. Overall a good time though and I might try the other books in the series at some point.
The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera

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adventurous emotional inspiring 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

4.5

I really enjoyed this story. I found the POV being from the brother a bit strange, but I can see why it was used and enjoyed it nonetheless. The characters as a whole I felt were really well written and the plot had me hooked the whole way through. The ending paid off well and I enjoyed seeing how it all wrapped up. I'd love to read more from these characters! Highly recommend!
The Sea Cloak by Nayrouz Qarmout

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emotional reflective sad fast-paced
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

I'm one of those people who struggle to get invested with short story collections and so this is a large part of why I didn't rate this book higher. Definitely more of a reflection of my experience rather than the quality of the book. However, I did find each of the stories interesting and found the authors writing style and how they structured the stories easy to follow. I'm glad I read this book as it provides a valuable perspective on such an important situation.
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer

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informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.0

I'm really glad I read this book as an audiobook because hearing it from the author really enhanced the experience, especially as some of the stories told are so personal. This book has changed how I look at science and the environment. I got a little lost in the slow pace at times but overall had a really great experience listening to this book. I really recommend it.
How to Argue With a Meat Eater by Ed Winters

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informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

An amazing, interesting, informative, and inspiring read. I'll read anything Ed Winters publishes at this point. The way he forms his arguments and relays the information makes his books really accessible. Highly recommend.
The Forge & The Flood by Miles Nelson

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

3.0

This is a fun novella set in a really imaginative world. I enjoyed the premise and the journey we are taken on throughout the course of the plot kept me engaged. The characters are interesting and as a big fan of otters I loved reading about their society in this world!
However, the writing had some slow points for me and I think I wanted the ending to be a little more fleshed out.
Overall, I'm really glad I read it. Also, I love that this was originally written as a wedding present with the author and their husbands favourite animals featured. Couple goals for real.