raenyreads's reviews
332 reviews

Thief of Time by Terry Pratchett

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

3.5

I liked the storyline in this one and the lore of the monks was really fun. But like all the the Death series books I just wanted more of Death himself and we hardly saw him in this instalment.
Goblins & Greatcoats by Travis Baldree

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funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

This is a really fun short story. The character of Zyll is really interesting and funny and I'd like to see more from them!
Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi

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dark emotional hopeful 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

This one didn't hit as hard as Pet for me but it is a great accompanying novel. The context it provides to Bitter and Lucilles history increase the depth of the whole story and I think make it more interesting. Not sure what to say without giving too much away but as with every Akwaeke Emezi novel I've read so far, the characters are amazing and well developed, the plot is interesting and engaging, and the writing style means not a word is wasted.
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

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adventurous challenging reflective 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

3.5

I did enjoy this book but I didn't love it. I found a lot of the book to be info dumping which is necessary with how intricate the plot and politics of the world is but got a bit hard to read through at points. I did enjoy the conversations characters had when they happened.
Obviously though the main reason this book is a classic is how ahead of its time it is and I will absolutely commend it for that. From a 2024 perspective there is improvements that could be made but for a book written in the 60s the message here is super progressive and interesting in its view on what humanity would be without gender. 
I'll be reading more by Le Guin in the future.
The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri

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adventurous dark emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

This book had such an amazing start. The political intrigue has me invested. The characters have a lot of depth and I am looking forward to seeing how they develop. The worldbuilding is unique and I loved the magic system, it's not explained but I like the mystery of it. However, I found the plot ran out of steam a bit at the 80% mark and didn't have a 'wow' ending like I was expecting. I'm still definitely picking up the second book though!
Lover Buoys by Julie Mapes

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

4.5

This is such a cute story! It had me smiling from the first few pages and the rest did not disappoint. It's about having the freedom to be yourself, a cute romance, and a sprinkle of magic. The art style is perfect as it creates a lighthearted atmosphere for what is at points a pretty emotional story. I want to see more from these main characters!
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Shaman by Frozen Garden

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adventurous dark fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A great short graphic novel with an intriguing plot and absolutely gorgeous art. I didn't see the plot twist coming and so I enjoyed that part, however the ending seemed a bit rushed. 
Overall I'm very glad I picked this up!
The Brides of High Hill by Nghi Vo

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adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

I really enjoyed the mystery element of this installment in the series. I was shocked at a couple plot reveals/twists and enjoyed the characters a lot. I think the end wrapped up a bit too easily but I still really enjoyed the ending and the book as a whole.
Cleric Chih's personality really shines in this installment and I can't wait to see more from them.
I'll definitely be continuing this series.
PET by Akwaeke Emezi

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challenging dark emotional reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

I just don't have the words to accurately portray how amazing this book is. It may only be ~200 pages but it absolutely packs an emotional gut punch. This is my second book by Akwaeke Emezi that I've read and they've both been 5 stars for me (the other was Freshwater). From the first few chapters I was engaged and interested in the story and then once I hit the 50% mark I couldn't put it down and was absolutely gripped by the events unfolding. The ending was expertly wrapped together and left me shocked. I've been thinking about it ever since I finished which was over a week ago.
Therefore I highly recommend this to everyone, though there are dark topics so maybe check the trigger warnings if you need to.
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Skinny Legs and All by Tom Robbins

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 41%.
I can't get into this book. Each page is a chore. I will say I enjoyed the characters though. However they couldn't make up for everything else. Just not for me.