joyreadsbuku's reviews
149 reviews

Let Me Hear a Rhyme by Tiffany D. Jackson

emotional funny informative sad medium-paced

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

4.25

4.25 stars - this was the book I didn't know I needed! Absolutely loved the 90's vibes, the music, the nod to the movies, the lingo, the vibes, love love love. The charachters were great and funny, Quadir's corny jokes had me laughing and Jarrell was also funny, and I loved Jasmine's vibe. I even liked Ronnie. The pace was perfect and the story/plot was amazing. Steph has some awesome friends, but I had hoped there were more repercussions for his murderer (the audacity, tuhh). What a beautiful love letter to hip hop. A great palette cleanser too! I feel like growing up in the 90's was a "you just had to be there" moment/era, and the vibes translated through this book so well and it had me singing along with the Biggie songs. This book is just *chef's kiss*

The Light That Blinds Us by Andy Darcy Theo

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.25

3.25 - Short review: 

An action-packed book with the 2010's dystopia and major Percy Jackson vibes. I loved the elemental magic and the characters were okay (some of them worked on my nerve, except Alexis). This is a good start to a trilogy, but with a name like Andy Darcy Theo, how can you not write a good book? Exactly! I'm proud of the author for writing this (maybe it's bcs of the nostalgic dystopia vibes bcs that era quite literally raised me).

Long(er) review: yes this is a good book, however, there were things I unfortunately couldn't get with.

Things I didn't really like: imo, the found family trope happened fast which made the friendship feel a bit forced... At the end of the book, I could see why they became so close, but at the beginning/middle it was just too fast. This book being written in past tense threw me off and made it a bit more difficult to read. On top of that, the book being in 3rd person made it harder to follow because this made me feel more removed from the story and the characters. It took me a long time to finish this book as well. Some things happened too fast to the side characters

(eg: the leaders being imprinted on by Mortem)

, and I didn't really feel something while that was happening. I think it's because I didn't know these characters enough. There's also more telling and less showing which is unfortunate. But for the romance, it was more showing than telling.

Things I did like: the villain. Say what you want to say about him, you cannot make me hate him (yet). Tbvh, so far, I like Mortem

and I also started to like the story more once Alexis gave into that darkness he felt, which was short because that's where the book ends basically

. I guess I was expecting a bit more chaos. Also, the book ended on a good note to reel in readers to read the sequel, which I wasn't sure I would do, but after that ending, I kind of have to. Also because I feel like I know the charachters more, and I think more will be revealed in the second book. I absolutely adored the words at the beginning of every chapter (i felt so seen with the French and Dutch words), especially since they foreshadowed (without spoiling) what the chapter was mostly gonna be about. The plot and how things are connected is great.

Even though I figured out pretty quick that Mortem & Alexis are related, it didn't feel predictable, especially because Incantus is Mortem's brother, making Incantus Alexis' uncle (loved this relation link!). Dr Dash coming back at the end was also something I loved and did not expect.

Naming the friend group 'Alpha' (Alexis, Blaise, Cae, Demi) was a great idea imo. Btw, I wondered if Blaise is called Blaise bcs "blaze", his power? If so, that's genius.

By the end, I did feel a pang when what happened to Demi took place,

and I grew to like Caeli. Blaise is annoyingly cocky and Alexis was a bit calm/quiet, but I understand because he has been fighting the darkness literally since childhood. I expected a bit more interaction between Mortem and Alexis, but maybe that'll happen in the second book (I really hope so) and I'm curious to see what Ezra will be like in the second book. He's kind of giving me Luke Castellan vibes.

I do like the book more than I disliked certain things, which is positive. The author note & acknowledgments were beautiful. Overall a good book and I hope it's loved by teens, because if I had this when I was a teen, I wouldn't have hesitated to give this 5 stars.

Bridgerton - De ongetrouwde hertog by Julia Quinn

lighthearted reflective 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

3.0

3 stars - This was fun to listen to. I absolutely adore how Daphne challenges Simon and how she isn't afraid to say what needs to be said. The ABC squad of her brothers (Anthony, Benedict, Colin) were kinda annoying but it wasn't too bad. However, that one scene... it drastically dropped my rating. I grew to like Lady Whistledown tho

Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby

dark reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

3.5

3.5 stars - 2 people standing on business and taking sweet, sweet revenge? Sign me up! I loved the revenge part and the characters said funny stuff sometimes. Simultaneously, they said some questionable things that had me side eyeing them multiple times. I do feel annoyed that something tragic had to happen in order for both main characters to realize how much they loved their sons. Sadly, I think this is the reality a lot of the times

but I'm glad there was character development

and I did get uncomfortable reading about certain stuff (read the trigger warnings). I loveee the southern colloquialism and I adore that S.A. Cosby always incorporates this in his books. I did enjoy All The Sinners Bleed a bit more than this one, and I think I'll pick up another S.A. Cosby book in the future. 

Nothing Burns As Bright As You by Ashley Woodfolk

emotional reflective sad fast-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

3.5

3.5 stars - one thing Ashley Woodfolk is gonna do is yank emotion out of you. This being in verse was a choice, especially bcs it was in first and second person, and in the beginning, I couldn't really get in the story bcs the timeline confused me. This impacts how the story resonates (imo) but it does not take away from the author's beautiful writing and beautiful metaphors. Also, the relationship/friendship is kinda toxic... but maybe that was the intention bcs of the possible eventual character development. I do recommend this book and can't wait for another Ashley Woodfolk book

In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware

mysterious medium-paced

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

2.0

2 stars - tbh, I only kept listening bcs the characters had me f*cked up and I did want to know how it ended

Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

dark mysterious reflective sad 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? N/A

3.5

 3.5 stars - Faridah ate with this! A very important book that deals with crucial topics such as the ugly truths within institutions who fail - and, honestly, refuse - to protect those who are not afraid to speak up about unjustices, while the perpetrators are being protected. While the plot, characters, and the chemistry between the characters were great, the pace was a tad bit slow. By the time reveals were made, I was a bit checked out and wasn't as engaged as I was at the beginning of the book. I was very much invested in the morse code and the anagram, and managed to crack both before their reveal.

Although these didn't contain a big twist as I'd hoped (imo), 

These two components make the book engaging and even more enjoyable. I'd definitely recommend this and can't wait to read more of the author's work 

Yesterday Is History by Kosoko Jackson

medium-paced

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

2.5

2.5 stars - fast and easy read. Unfortunately, this one was not for me. I felt like the rules for time travelling were very vague and the time difference (1h in the past being 1 min in the present, but the days did not add up to this) didn't make sense to me. The romance was rushed and lacked explanation as to how they fell in love. This book is romance based and not plot based, so nothing really happens... I'm glad I read it tho bcs it was on my tbr for a while.

All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

4 stars - a medium-paced thrilling mystery that had me on the edge of my seat. I literally had to physically remove myself from this one and I even lost sleep bcs I wanted to know what happened. This being my first SA Cosby book is promising and I'm so excited to read his other works. Titus (main character) is not to be messed with and I love that! Don't forget to read the trigger warnings just in case

Only For The Week by Natasha Bishop

funny fast-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? N/A

3.0

3 stars - just wished we would have gone a bit deeper into Rome’s love for Janelle in the beginning. I almost dnf’ed 50% into the book (bcs it was very focused on the romance but I wanted to try it anyway). Part 2 is what kept me going, mainly bcs I’m not a romance girlie but I did like the side stories of Amerie, her parents and that dynamic, and Janelle’s friends not playing about her