Take a photo of a barcode or cover
632 reviews by:
takarakeireads
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My second time reading this, but I never read the sequel so I had to reread to remember anything.
Really interesting and unique concept for a YA fantasy (set in a future altered US) in the territory of Verity monsters are controlled by two sides of a divided V-City. We follow two povs one on each side - Kate Harker the daughter to one of the men in power, and August Flynn who is one of the rarest kinds of monsters (his found family are on the other side of power). Monsters form from various kinds of violent /bad things that happen (ex: murder at various levels) and there are three different types. Kate and Flynn meet at a private school in the best part of the city, and are then thrust together when murders happen for which someone tries to frame Flynn for.
This book is asking the question "what really makes a monster?" - is August really a monster just because everyone says he is? Both August and Kate are complex characters whom you can't help but root for. If you're looking for a dark/gritty book with questions about good vs evil - AND it reads fast! This is it!
Really interesting and unique concept for a YA fantasy (set in a future altered US) in the territory of Verity monsters are controlled by two sides of a divided V-City. We follow two povs one on each side - Kate Harker the daughter to one of the men in power, and August Flynn who is one of the rarest kinds of monsters (his found family are on the other side of power). Monsters form from various kinds of violent /bad things that happen (ex: murder at various levels) and there are three different types. Kate and Flynn meet at a private school in the best part of the city, and are then thrust together when murders happen for which someone tries to frame Flynn for.
This book is asking the question "what really makes a monster?" - is August really a monster just because everyone says he is? Both August and Kate are complex characters whom you can't help but root for. If you're looking for a dark/gritty book with questions about good vs evil - AND it reads fast! This is it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Cursing, Gore, Torture, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Toxic relationship, Mass/school shootings, Fire/Fire injury
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This unfortunately had some pacing issues that proved difficult for me to get through, which was a disappointment because I enjoyed the world building and magic of One Dark Window. I also struggled with not getting ODW spoiler: Elspeth's pov for most of the book and instead getting only male POVs. While I understand why it was done this way it did feel like there was some spark to the book missing. I really powered through this and at about 70% in things finally got interesting plot-wise. However, I still felt the conclusion of the story to be a bit predictable and overall lackluster.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Sexual content, Torture
Minor: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked the romance, but the other plot points were too varied, a bit hard to follow and a bit distracting. Charles is such a hilarious love interest tho and I enjoyed reading his pov.
🌶️3.5/5
🌶️3.5/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Mental illness
Minor: Suicide, Death of parent
It’s not explicitly stated but it’s pretty clear that Charles has what would now be called OCD
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
(re-read) It was so interesting to come back to this story knowing where the series goes. I underlined so many things that I totally didn't pick up on my first time reading and really made me appreciate R.F. Kuang's ability to world-build with so much detail, history and lore. This book does read almost like two books, the first 1/3 to half-ish being almost dark academia-esque with our MC Rin getting into this prestigious military school and she is one of the only poor students whose family isn't well connected. Then a war breaks out and she along with her fellow students must join to fight against an invading country. The rest of the book really sets up the rest of the series.
Rin is a very... interesting main character to read as she is extremely morally gray. Is actually told constantly by her professor Jiang that the magic ability she is learning is dangerous, but she does not heed the warnings. This is an overall theme throughout the books, so it's important to know going in that she can be often unlikeable at times due to the decisions that she makes.
I really can't wait to continue my re-read of the whole series.
Rin is a very... interesting main character to read as she is extremely morally gray. Is actually told constantly by her professor Jiang that the magic ability she is learning is dangerous, but she does not heed the warnings. This is an overall theme throughout the books, so it's important to know going in that she can be often unlikeable at times due to the decisions that she makes.
I really can't wait to continue my re-read of the whole series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug use, Genocide, Racism, Violence, Colonisation, War
Moderate: Bullying, Rape, Self harm, Torture, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death
This book contains very graphic gruesome and hard to read passages of the effects of war and genocide.
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm a puddle on the floor
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Grief
Moderate: Sexual content
🌶️3/5
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’m not super familiar with the Rumplestiltskin fairy tale but this seemed like a fairly dark twist on the tale. I think it was a bit long and could’ve been edited down to keep it more condensed and punchy plot wise. I really enjoyed Serilda’s gift for storytelling throughout the book, but this did the whole - not a whole lot of action must be saving it all for book 2 thing
🌶️ 2.5/5 (closed door)
🌶️ 2.5/5 (closed door)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Death of parent
Moderate: Animal death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Pregnancy
Minor: Sexual content, Abortion
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
We are in a not so distant future where tech billionaires are building bunkers to survive the inevitable end of the world (whatever that reason is probably exacerbated by their influence). Sound familiar?? Enter some people close to these billionaires who are unsettled by their selfishness and want to help create a better future. While parts of this book are grim and disturbingly REAL overall I feel the direction it headed was one of optimism, which I appreciated. Be sure to pay attention as the plot jump back and forth in time at parts. Some minor pacing issues here and there. Even though the beginning few chapters suck you in - the plot takes a bit to really reveal itself, but once things get going it's a page turner. Overall this was a very poignant and thought provoking read!
Naomi always writes books at the right times when they are just so spot on. The Power is a fav and this one did not disappoint (although they are very different books). This book is about how important human connection and community are, as well as connection with nature. I highly recommend it to everyone cause we’re basically all living in this reality, but especially if you're interested in how technology has and can continue to influence our world.
Thank you to the publisher for this arc.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Gore, Suicide, Violence, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Cancer, Gun violence, Sexual content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Incest, Mental illness
animal death - hunting also, an instance of survival human v animal
civil/political unrest, refugee camps, religious cults
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was slumping while reading so I did read a bit slow for me. But I had a hard time getting into this book and really connecting with the characters. It's second-chance romance, which I typically really enjoy but this one was just ok. I've heard the second book is a lot better?
I didn't really understand the world building, or like why there was a college with witches and the MC is a witch but she like doesn't really know what she's doing. I know that getting stronger powers is kinda part of the storyline, but it felt a bit flimsy to me.
Also WHY did the narrator NOT USE AN ACCENT. It's one thing to have one narrator for dual POV (ugh), but HE'S WELSH! AT LEAST DO AN ACCENT! MISSED OPPORTUNITY!!!!
3/5 🌶️
I didn't really understand the world building, or like why there was a college with witches and the MC is a witch but she like doesn't really know what she's doing. I know that getting stronger powers is kinda part of the storyline, but it felt a bit flimsy to me.
Also WHY did the narrator NOT USE AN ACCENT. It's one thing to have one narrator for dual POV (ugh), but HE'S WELSH! AT LEAST DO AN ACCENT! MISSED OPPORTUNITY!!!!
3/5 🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Alcohol
Minor: Misogyny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm currently slumping, but I did listen to it in a day so there's that.
The journey Sadie goes on from getting screwed over in her corporate job to finding something she really wants to do was real for me. I understand she has some past family trauma but we didn't really know why she is so self-deprecating until a bit too far in, so by that point it was a bit overdone.
I do love some forced proximity (they are strangers who move in together because NYC housing costs). Jack is a superb book boyfriend, really top notch and must be protected at all costs. I really kept reading for him because he's IT. I wanted to give him a big hug this whole book.
3/5 🌶️
The journey Sadie goes on from getting screwed over in her corporate job to finding something she really wants to do was real for me. I understand she has some past family trauma but we didn't really know why she is so self-deprecating until a bit too far in, so by that point it was a bit overdone.
I do love some forced proximity (they are strangers who move in together because NYC housing costs). Jack is a superb book boyfriend, really top notch and must be protected at all costs. I really kept reading for him because he's IT. I wanted to give him a big hug this whole book.
3/5 🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death of parent
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Grief, Car accident
the male audio narrator has a weird accent that does not make sense
Switching to ebook/physical
Switching to ebook/physical