minayana's reviews
198 reviews

My Tender Matador by Pedro Lemebel

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challenging emotional reflective 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 novel was absolutely captivating in every capacity-language, characters, dialogue ugh just amazing. I fell in love with the Queen, and the banter between her and Carlos was so tender and loving. The way the Queen looked at the world and found every possible way to be joyful was so beautiful. I loved this book!!
My one complaint is that it felt unnecessary to have so many chapters following Augusto (not quite sure why we needed two pages of his wife talking about how much she hates black people.) There is also a scene where the Queen gives Carlos a blow job in his sleep? But then we’re told it might not have happened and was just a fantasy? It was very uncomfortable for me, but then again, the book is not looking to be a comfortable experience.
Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

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dark slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

This was a huge let down. I’ve liked everything I’ve read by this author so far and the premise was so intriguing, but unfortunately, this kinda sucked. The first 70% of this novel is sooooo boring and slowed paced, and by the time actual stuff started happening I couldn’t get myself to even pay attention cause I was just waiting for it to be over. The two MCs are well fleshed out characters but I couldn’t stand their relationship. I truly wanted to shake Monserrat by the shoulders and make her tell Tristan to F off. The author always tends to be a bit info dumpy in her books, but usually it can still manage to be engaging. Not in this one, the plot was already soooooo slow with “build up” that I really couldn’t find myself interested in anything that was being explained. I would’ve dnf’ed, but I want to read all of her novels so…..oh well.
A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn

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adventurous funny 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? No

4.0

I really enjoyed my time with this book. Absolutely love Veronica and Stoker, and their chemistry is captivating. I wasn’t a huge fan of the reveal but not because it was badly done or anything, I just don’t care for the subject. One thing that irked me was the Asian character in this book. It’s really exhausting when once again the only Asian woman is super jealous of the white female lead…..over a white man. 
The writing is great, the dialogue is engaging. I will definitely be continuing in this series.
The Night Ends With Fire by K.X. Song

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adventurous dark 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

3.75

Although there’s not anything impressive about this book, I had such a fun time. It’s very compulsively readable, and I found myself really caring about the characters and their relationships even though the writing could be a bit cringy at times lol. Can’t wait for the next one!
I'm in Love with the Villainess (Light Novel) Vol. 1 by Inori

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lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

I wanted something lighthearted that didn’t need much brain power to listen to while I worked and decided on this. I was entertained while reading, but disappointed with the problematic elements (lesbian mc keeps hitting on a girl who’s uncomfortable, random incest, ect) Having watched and read many anime/manga it didn’t come at too much of a surprise unfortunately. I’m going to continue cause even though this wasn’t the best, I can see the next book being a lot more fun. As it’s a light novel, the writing is very simplistic, and I thought the translator did a great job making the language feel natural. 
Dracula by Bram Stoker

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mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

When I Arrived at the Castle by E.M. Carroll

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

The art is absolutely gorgeous but the story leaves a lot to be desired. The plot is purposefully vague in order to be mysterious and both tense and erotic, but for me it just made it all a bit incoherent. The art is definitely a 10/10 though.
Diavola by Jennifer Marie Thorne

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dark funny tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This was so good! I was reading this at night along with the audiobook and there was a thunderstorm outside and omg the atmosphere was amazing. There were so many moments where I was genuinely creeped out. I could relate to the MC being the black sheep of the family (although not exactly in the same way) her family was insufferable but unfortunately realistic. The last 100 pages of the book takes on a more satirical vibe and I LOVED IT. The writing was solid. I interpreted the book as a metaphor for how a toxic family/childhood can follow you and take a toll on your life. Definitely recommend! 
The Moon in the Palace by Weina Dai Randel

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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

3.25

Children of Anguish and Anarchy by Tomi Adeyemi

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adventurous fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.5

Genuinely like…..what even was this lol. This book made it glaringly obvious that the author had no idea what they were planning on doing with this series when she wrote the first book. Brand new villain in the last book of the series, new romance for Amari out of nowhere (probably because people said in the past that they wished Zelle and Amari would get together), absolutely no consequences for anyone’s actions. You don’t really care about any of the characters anymore or their relationships. The writing is average. The plot is a MESS. It’s a ya series and it’s very graphic in its description of violence but then in the end everything ends well for everyone. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t recommend this series.