literallysam's reviews
24 reviews

Animal Farm is a political allegory for the Russian Revolution, in which many of the animals (human-like characters) represent the key historical figures of the time. Though it can still be read & enjoyed if you don't get any of the allusions to Lenin, Marx, Trotsky or Stalin. But there's no doubt that the message behind this book is an important one.

In terms of Orwell's writing and the plot, it is basic. An easy read if you are 10-14 y/o. There are many quotes that I liked (slide to read). I loved the words of the proud anthem “Beasts of England". I admired Boxer’s noble sense of dedication & self-sacrifice.
However, there are some problems as well..
•The constant theme throughout the book and especially the ending suggests that Revolution is useless, that things will remain how they've always been, neither getting better nor worse. Reliving tragedy and atrocities of an evil government is just one part of the equation, making our own revolution should be the other. So, the ending could've been better.
Similarly, there's this character in the book, Benjamin who is intelligent but still doesn't "exercise his faculty" and when other animals ask for his help, he refuses to "meddle in such matters".(Real bourgeoisie behaviour)
•The book also critiques the working class more than Stalin. Orwell writes like an aristocrat- calling the animals , illiterate, stupid & forgetful throughout the book.
•Another con is that the book is too political in nature. It's like Orwell has laid down a fable in respect of only his own opinions, not allowing the readers to form their own judgements. A book shouldn't be so heavy handed in its political message and should leave room for readers to make their own opinions.
•Also the allegorical aspect of the book is another issue as it only presents one possible interpretation of reality. This leads to misunderstanding of the complexities of real-world political events.

Overall, Animal Farm serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of giving too much power to one person or group, and the importance of staying vigilant and questioning authority.

It was my very first classic read and it's safe to say that I definitely cherished it and am looking forward to reading more classics. Initially, I was having a hard time reading it because I'm not very familiar with the 19th century diction, but eventually it got easier.
Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is a timeless classic that continues to captivate readers with its wit, romance, and social commentary. It is set in early 19th century England and 

The story revolves around the Bennet family, particularly- Elizabeth who is a strong willed and independent woman, ahead of her time, and her character is beautifully developed throughout the book. Her initial prejudice towards the proud and aloof Mr. Darcy sets the stage for a complex and captivating romance. Their romance is portrayed with nuance as later, their pride and prejudice give way to understanding and affection. 

Pride and prejudice explores the themes of love, marriage, social norms and the role of women in the society of the 19th century which was patriarchal and ruled by men who held the economic and social power. It also has certain components that directly focus on the mixing of the bourgeoisie and aristocracy. Austen has written satirically about the social conventions and hypocrisy of her time, shedding light on the limitations placed upon women and the necessity of securing a marriage. Through her characters, she reveals, the flaws and virtues of human nature, and offers insightful analysis on the complexities of human relationships.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Pride and Prejudice is the characterization. Each and every character develops intricately which allows you to become fully immersed in their lives and emotions. It is to be noted that the FMC, Elizabeth is a feminist character. When Lady Catherine confronts Lizzie about her relationship with Darcy, Lizzie says "he is a gentleman; I am a gentleman's daughter, so far we are equal." Here when she declares herself equal to Darcy she emerges as a true feminist, subtly hinted at in the previous chapter.

At its core Pride and prejudice is a slow-burning romance between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. The novel explores the transformative power of love and challenges societal norms along the way. It's a novel that has stood the test of time. Whether you are a fan of classic literature or not, this novel is a must read and offers timeless lessons about love, self discovery, and the complexities of human nature.

The protagonist, Juliette, possesses a power that is both a blessing and a curse. Her touch is lethal, capable of causing pain and death, making her an outcast in a chaotic world where control is everything. Juliette's internal struggles are palpable, and Mafi beautifully captures the complexity of her character.
The strikethroughs and repetition in the chapters perfectly depicted her chaotic thoughts and fractured state of mind. I loved this experimental style that captures the essence of the story's themes of isolation, self-discovery, and resilience.
Throughout the book we witness her character development as she transforms  from a fragile soul into a resilient heroine.

The romance in Shatter Me is a balance between forbidden love and raw passion.
On one hand the chemistry between Juliette and Adam is undeniable. The intensity of their forbidden love evoked a sense of longing and left me yearning for more.
On the other hand the dynamic between Juliette and Warner, the enigmatic antagonist is one of the best aspects of the book. The tension between them is to die for- and the chemistry crackles off the pages.
Though it may not appeal to you if you're seeking a more straightforward and predictable love story but I'm sure by the end of the book you'd definitely be left rooting for them a little. I personally love enemies to lovers trope so that is why I picked up this book in the first place.🌚

It's really fast-paced, filled with twists and turns and always keeps you engrossed.
Mafi's unique writing style, combined with complex characters and a dystopian backdrop, creates an amazing story. The world-building is haunting and really good- a crumbling society, governed by a totalitarian government, creates an image of a landscape ruled by fear and oppression. READ IT.💙

It was my first book by Sally Rooney and I think I may have found my new favourite author- I absolutely devoured it and I think it's not so easy to write a review for such a profound book.. which made me feel so many things.

BWWAY is not like those traditional plot-driven novels and is more character-focused and introspective. It is all about the vibes and the profound, intellectual, and elevated conversations between Roony's authentic, flawed and imperfect protagonists. The book also ventures into a series of historical anecdotes and social commentary through alice and eileen’s email correspondence. I loved the emails- they were so thought-provoking and became an instrumental part of the novel.

It's amazing how well the author articulated the things that we all feel and the way we all behave in real life. Sally has tackled the complexities of the characters & their relationships with so much sophistication. I've read reviews about how people can't relate to the characters because they are in their late 20s but that wasn't the case with me. I felt this deep connection with them and could actually resonate with them- A LOT. The characters simultaneously crave and reject romantic intimacy and continuously question their own emotions and intentions. So their self analysis was so enjoyable to read.

There were times when the characters were a bit insufferable and annoying (felix ,most insufferable, A-hole character) but still they were so human that even then I could understand what they were feeling and going through and the fact that I could relate to them so much just made the book even more genuine for me. The author has written the most innermost thoughts in such an exquisite precision of details that it can't be more accurate. All I can say is that I'm not the same person I was before this book.🫶🏼

I absolutely LOVED it. The imagery in this book is so mesmerizing. I can't begin to describe the beauty in Delia' words, the scenery she implants straight into your head - it's so enchanting.
She made me fall in love with an environment I’ve never set foot in. Her passion for nature and her expertise as a nature writer, is evident. I could clearly see everything in my mind and I absolutely loved all facts related to insects and animals. The Author's knowledge of nature really came out and it was so informative.

Kya on the other hand is so relatable. I’ve never come across any other literary work that so literally and perfectly describes human loneliness through nature and sound... this book will make you feel it with her. Her story is so well written that you can't help but hurt for her, root for her, cheer her on and wish to protect her from the prejudices she endures. Her observations and journey within the marsh are so intriguing to read.

However there was some places in the book that felt a bit slow. Plus the surprise ending seemed way too abrupt- as though the author got tired of writing and just wanted to get the book over with.

Nonetheless, the book is well deserving of all the hype it has gathered. Read it.

Obviously ACOFAS isn't anything like the 3 main novels before it. It's not as exciting and plot-heavy as the it's predecessors because IT'S A NOVELLA- It is lighthearted and has this festive vibe which I absolutely loved. 🩷 I wouldn't say that anything particularly important happens in this novella because it's mostly about everyone dealing with the aftermath of the events of ACOWAR and it was much needed after the emotional breakdown that ACOWAR caused.
The chapters switch POVs occasionally between Feyre, Rhys, Cass, and Mor. I just wish that Cass and Mor's pov were also in first-person like Rhys and Feyre's but it wasn't really an issue because the writing style was still perfect and I could understand their feelings just as well.
The best part of the novella were the sweet and domestic Feysand moments. We also did finally get the Cabin wall scene which is just- 😻🏹❤️‍🔥

Apart from Feysand, I loved how much time we got to spend with the other bat boys. With Cassian’s perspectives especially, we got to learn more about his respective history and how he healed from the war. It felt like this was written to be a legitimate “bridge” between the first trilogy to the next one and the next novel in the series which focuses on Cass and Nesta. I really would've liked to have Az, Elain & Lucien's POVs as well but oh well, they'll probably be getting their own book I assume!!
I wasn't expecting any part related to Tamlin especially in a novella this short. Even though he was a pr!ck in the previous books and still very much is I never thought I'd feel sorry for him. I couldn’t help being at least a little bit sad to see the state in which Rhys found him and how far he’d fallen. Despite everything, I can’t help but always feel that there's something interesting about his potential as a character. I actually hope that Mass will write more about him in the future books.

Even though it was too short, this novella is exactly what I hoped and dreamed it would be. Because at the end of the day, I got to read more than a hundred pages about my bat-boys and watch the Inner Circle interact, taunt, fuss, cry and laugh with each other, and that was all I ever needed ACOFAS to offer me. The snowball fight? OH MY HEART.🥵And the sauna scene? LMAO. It just felt SO GOOD to fall right back into the fairie worlf for a little bit longer.

This book of the series focuses on Nesta, offering a fresh perspective and delving deeper into her complex psyche. The novel explores themes of trauma, healing, and personal growth. It follows Nesta's struggles and her journey toward redemption in the rawest form.

First off, I take back every bad thing I've said about Nesta- The best thing about the book is Nesta's character development. It's no secret that she was prolly the one of the most disliked characters in ACOTAR due to her hedious behaviour throughout the series. But by the end of this novel I was in love with Ness.❤️‍🩹
Nesta is a complex and deeply flawed character, haunted by her past and battling her own demons. As the story unfolds, we witness her transformation from a broken and bitter individual to someone who learns to confront her fears and accept her own strength.

The romance between Nesta and Cassian is electric and fullll of tension. There is a lot of witty banter between them, which is adorable as well as sarcastic at the same time. The chemistry building is just excellent and their interactions sizzle with desire and vulnerability.
However, the book also explores the importance of self-love and personal growth outside of a romantic relationship, which adds even more depth & complexity to the story.

SJM'S EXECUTION STYLE IS THE AIR TO MY LUNGS. She handled Nesta's character arc with so much sensitivity, that I was left empathising with her and rooting for her as she navigated the challenges that came her way. The book has so many action-packed scenes with quieter moments of introspection. The plot has some really good and intriguing twists and turns. Plus the dialogues are filled with genuine emotions and are just soo good that I cried so many times that I've lost count.🥹

SPOILERS:
I could see the building romance between or should I say potential romance between Az and Gwyn and I absolutely love it.
Also, everytime Feysand entered the page, I absolutely cherished it. I think the only thing I didn't like was pregnant Feyre. I mean It just felt really rushed after how they wanted to take it slow and everything but still I couldn't be happier for them.😭💞

That said, it's worth noting that this book includes some really explicit content so pls look into TWs before reading.

I've seen this one alot on bookstagram and was so excited to read it but it turned out to be just an average cliche love story. Even though the title “Book Lovers" suggests that it's romance, Nora and Charlie's sparking romance is not the main plot of the book... honestly all I wanted was a nice brewing love story between two people who are enemies-turned-lovers, but it is mostly about two sisters who have major daddy issues. Wait lemme explain-

The prologue was just so soo good but then after that everything got so boring. After reading the prologue I thought that this book was going to be different from those cliche countryside romance ones but it was exactly that- Nora & her sissy Libby decide to go on a one-month trip to this small village. There Nora runs into Charle, and it turns out that he's from that small town and his mum runs the local bookstore (yes, another cliche). Though Nora & Charlie haven't gotten along, they're working together on a new manuscript and spend a lot of time in close proximity where the sexual tension builds. Things heat up quickly, but then it's interrupted and this "will they do it or not" energy persists and that's an aspect of the novel that seemed a bit of a stretch. Given how in sync & smart they both are, I had a hard time believing they couldn't figure out a way to be together while still supporting their family.

Now let's talk about the main plot.🤡
Nora's concern lies far more with Libby, who seems to be keeping a secret from her and Nora is hurt that Libby won't talk to her and determinedly tries to get Libby to open up. And even I was waiting for her to open up because I hated this super cringe character of her's and just wanted a little more depth. She's a grown ass adult and still acts like a fkn baby. She has like two breakdowns in the story and yet her character was never fleshed out to be even a little bit intresting. She's Nora's sister- that's all I could gather about her.

I loved Nora. She is stony, bitchy and rigid just like me; soulmates? The only character development I saw was Nora's. Charlie on the other hand was a nice guy but honestly I didn't really find him interesting after the prologue. All the sexual tension just fizzled out after that.

So overall, I don't recommend it.🙂