chaithra's reviews
244 reviews

The First Sister by Linden A. Lewis

emotional tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan

hopeful fast-paced

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

3.0

i didn't hate this but i also didn't enjoy this, i'm not moved to read the sequel and it's honestly for a few reasons. part of it is, i will say, that the first book functions (for the most part) as it's own story. all the ends are wrapped up in a nice enough bow for me

the first being petty, i just don't enjoy first person pov. this is just a personal ick. this book also read very young adult, which if you enjoy that you'll enjoy this, but lately i cannot read young adult if it reads too young which this did. the main character over explained everything in her head to a point where it wouldn't make sense in any other context than besides a way to inform us of the world building. she also had a very "disney channel movie main character" way of thinking which annoyed me. maybe i just wasn't in the mood for a fantasy romance, or maybe its because the main character is relatively new to this society/attention but seeing her so focused on the love interest at times was becoming such a pet peeve. and! it is the 2020's! i dont want love triangles! leave that out of this!

genuinely, with another author i think this story could've been better? it's a good story i just wish the writing and some story choices had been better. 

Malice by John Gwynne

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.0

this is old white man fantasy, nothing wrong with that it’s just what this is. reading it was like doing anything on autopilot. i’m not too sure i’ll continue the series, but it was well written

He Who Drowned the World by Shelley Parker-Chan

dark emotional medium-paced

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

4.0

add this to the weavers of alamaxa and the blood trials in the "this would've been so much better if there was a book 3" club. the story felt rushed, the deaths felt incomplete and even the ending felt a little rushed. i enjoyed the story and will probably reread in a better state of mind. i do think this is worth your time if you are looking for a dark fantasy with elements of gender exploration and what it means to have a fate but i just wish parker-chan made this a trilogy.

The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

if there’s one mystery i’ll eat up every single time it’s a holly jackson mystery

A Mirror Mended by Alix E. Harrow

hopeful 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

4.0

i liked it but there were too many meme references. i love a good vibe reference as the other guy but goodness

A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow

adventurous emotional 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

this was a fun twist on fairytales/fairytale retellings

The Bone Orchard by Sara A. Mueller

dark emotional inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

a mystery novel featuring bone ghosts and court politics? this was crazy i went in blind and had a great time. even if you do read the summary i do think you'll be a little confused during the beginning but its worth it imo. 

Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater

emotional funny lighthearted fast-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

4.5

this is perfect for fans of the bridgerton setting with a sprinkle of fae and magic. dora was endearing, though her family may disagree and every other character was so lovable. the romance was sweet and the slight plot that takes place, though it resolves quick, was well done. 

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

dark tense medium-paced

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

4.0

i see why this is a popular booktok book. parker-chan defintely utilizes showing over telling in this book which i greatly appreciated, even when it took me some time to understand what was being hinted at. zhu is a protagonist you love to dislike, you aren't reading this story because you love zhu, you're reading it because you love zhu's drive and will power. theres romance/affection shown in this book that reminds me of what we saw in the poppy war in terms of "romance" which was very intriguing for the character and what it meant for their growth. i am very excited to see what's in store for everyone in he who drowned the world