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val_theburrowofstories's reviews
330 reviews
Howards End by E.M. Forster
In my opinion, Margaret and Helen are characters ahead of it's time. It’s actually surprising to me to remember this was written by a man because the way the sisters behaved I kept waiting for some other character to call them out or make a big negative comment, but apart from some minor comments from Mr. Wilcox that didn’t happen and I’m glad.
My favorite one was Margaret definitely, she got married when she was around 30 yo (when that’s odd for women back then), openly saying she’s glad she doesn’t have children, was never afraid to say what she was thinking or be involved in topics not common for women or act on what she thought it was right.(also when she threw the keys at Mr. Wilcox ready to leave his ass?? lmaoooo) . But Helen also has some credit! She got pregnant and yet she was not ashamed (as I guess it would've been the case back then) , just ready with a plan on what to do next with the money she had.
Mrs. Wilcox had some old ideas about women but honestly she was the only decent person in that family. Everyone else either did something bad or barely appears. Also,fuck Mr. Wilcox for basically saying he cheated on his wife because he was bored.
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was actually not boring at all. I mean, maybe I'm being nicer just because it's a classic, but it was good! I actually liked it more than I expected, so in my ratings is 3 ⭐
It was an easy read, easy to understand. I had a difficult time at the beginning with the narrator because I’m not used to the British accent, but I liked how Steven Crossley did the voices and narrated the story.
I started this classic not expecting much because I knew most of it would be just social life, people talking and about how some are rich and some are poor, and that’s exactly what I got.
In my opinion, Margaret and Helen are characters ahead of it's time. It’s actually surprising to me to remember this was written by a man because the way the sisters behaved I kept waiting for some other character to call them out or make a big negative comment, but apart from some minor comments from Mr. Wilcox that didn’t happen and I’m glad.
My favorite one was Margaret definitely, she got married when she was around 30 yo (when that’s odd for women back then), openly saying she’s glad she doesn’t have children, was never afraid to say what she was thinking or be involved in topics not common for women or act on what she thought it was right.
Mrs. Wilcox had some old ideas about women but honestly she was the only decent person in that family. Everyone else either did something bad or barely appears. Also,
I’m glad at the end Margaret and Helen keep Howard’s End, is the least they deserve because 1) Mrs. Wilcox left it to Margaret in the first place and 2) Charlie killed Helen’s baby’s father.
I’ll be watching the movie starring Emma Thompson and Helena Bonham Carter, and the tv show starring Hayley Atwell. I’m not sure when, but I’d like to see both adaptations.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Pregnancy
Moderate: Infidelity, Grief, and Death of parent
There’s spoilers ahead, so read with caution:
Classism: Talk about the poor and the rich.
Sexism / Misogyny: This book was written in 1910, so… clearly some outdated ideas about women, but it isn't as bad as I expected.
Death of parent / Grief: Happens near the beginning.
Infidelity:
Pregnancy: Happens near the end.
Murder: Happens near the end.
Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater
adventurous
mysterious
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
I started this book with all the intention of giving it 4 stars because I was hoping to really like it, but I’m starting to think this isn’t so much for me. Not that 3 ⭐ is bad, but it wasn’t what I expected. This book or series is not bad at all, is just that I’m not connecting with it the way that I expected.
To be honest I’m getting a bit bored but I’m still going to read the last book. I don’t understand how people waited 1 year for each book, I mean if I had to wait that long after these endings I think I would DNF because is not like it’s a great ending or interesting (to me)
This book is: is not just Glendowell but there’s 3 sleepers and the whole story revolves around that, and like… that’s it.
This guy with complicated last name who was the ex boss of the Gray? I thought he would be an all powerful evil guy but he’s just so weak, all bark and no bite. His wife Piper has more balls than him lo and was more interesting (especially in the end)
The biggest disappointment for me was thinking I would finally love the characters… but 😭 is not that I hate them, I just dislike them (Blue and Ronan) or I don’t care (Gansey and Adam), we won’t even talk about Noah because he’s the one with the most potential to be interesting (in my opinion) but he barely appears.
Besides this is kind of forgettable (and I do have a very good memory) because I would not read this for 3 days and I could not remember what even happened, there was one point where I could not even remember Ronan’s name, it was weird.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, and Murder
Moderate: Blood and Death of parent
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders
Here is the specifics of the content warnings I selected, and it’s very vague so there’s no spoilers:
Panic Attack: At the very beginning, when they're exploring the cave and something happens to one of them he says "I think I'm having a panic attack"
Domestic abuse / Child abuse: Adam father coming to his apartment and him thinking about the old abuse, and mention of the trial.
Gun Violence / Violence / Blood / Death: Someone killing someone and a fight by the end.
Death of parent: Two of the kids seeing a vision of their parents dead.
Get Your Sh*t Together by Sarah Knight
Did not finish book. Stopped at 66%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 66%.
(Tried to read this in January 2024)
- Thins I got from this book: 1) If I was a chipmunk I would be Simon, 2) this author will recommend her other books every few pages (and I did not even finish this one)
- I feel like at this point in my life, everything she's saying: 1) I've already heard, 2) It's incredibly common sense to me, and 3) I can find on the Internet anyway because I'm always looking for productivity videos.
- So yeah, I'm getting my shit together by DNFing books I'm not enjoying lol bye 👋
Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
adventurous
mysterious
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
4.0
From the very first pages I felt like I was in a dream with the way this book is written, I really like how this author was describing the setting and presenting the characters, besides the narrator has such a nice voice and it changed it for each POV… it was a full experience and from the beginning this was a 4 ⭐ for me!
This is a young adult book with fantasy elements and magic! Which is perfect for me, but if you’re looking for romance this isn’t it (like AT ALL, and I’m okay with that but I know it’s a deal breaker for some people), also, the fantasy is very low in the beginning but after a few chapters is there.
I liked Miryem from the second we met her, I don’t care if she’s “cold” or “ambitious” for others, to me she was caring for her family, doing the job, she was organized, really wise, not afraid of anything and always with a plan, proud of her religion and loyal to the people she loves until the very end. I just love her.
I was rooting for Wanda all the time, I just wanted her to be okay in the end, be free from her father, find her way and have a good and happy life. She’s such a hardworking girl, smart and quick learner, but overall she has a lot of courage and is ready to protect her family from anyone (even if it’s a demon or a scary King!)
Then we have Irina who I also came to love by the end. She looked weak in the beginning but she quickly adapted to her new reality, she was protective of her people and so brave. I just love women plotting, taking action, involved in politics, always with a plan and one step ahead!
I loved these girls so much! I’m tired of reading about girls who just go and do whatever without thinking, no plans, making things worse and not caring about the others. But Miryem, Wanda and Irina? They have such different backgrounds and yet their main qualities were being hardworking, really smart, brave and protective over their love ones. Honestly? I feel like that’s just me, in each girl I saw myself reflected and maybe that’s part of why I loved them.
When you are reading this book, I understand why some people might find it boring, but to me it was as if I was enchanted by it, so focus on the story and the characters with this beautiful writing. Besides the audiobook helped and I knew when the POV changed from one girl to another (or sometimes another character), it was so addictive and interesting.
So yeah, I don’t think this book is for everyone but I still recommend you give it a try if the premise sounds interesting to you.
This is a young adult book with fantasy elements and magic! Which is perfect for me, but if you’re looking for romance this isn’t it (like AT ALL, and I’m okay with that but I know it’s a deal breaker for some people), also, the fantasy is very low in the beginning but after a few chapters is there.
I liked Miryem from the second we met her, I don’t care if she’s “cold” or “ambitious” for others, to me she was caring for her family, doing the job, she was organized, really wise, not afraid of anything and always with a plan, proud of her religion and loyal to the people she loves until the very end. I just love her.
I was rooting for Wanda all the time, I just wanted her to be okay in the end, be free from her father, find her way and have a good and happy life. She’s such a hardworking girl, smart and quick learner, but overall she has a lot of courage and is ready to protect her family from anyone (even if it’s a demon or a scary King!)
Then we have Irina who I also came to love by the end. She looked weak in the beginning but she quickly adapted to her new reality, she was protective of her people and so brave. I just love women plotting, taking action, involved in politics, always with a plan and one step ahead!
I loved these girls so much! I’m tired of reading about girls who just go and do whatever without thinking, no plans, making things worse and not caring about the others. But Miryem, Wanda and Irina? They have such different backgrounds and yet their main qualities were being hardworking, really smart, brave and protective over their love ones. Honestly? I feel like that’s just me, in each girl I saw myself reflected and maybe that’s part of why I loved them.
When you are reading this book, I understand why some people might find it boring, but to me it was as if I was enchanted by it, so focus on the story and the characters with this beautiful writing. Besides the audiobook helped and I knew when the POV changed from one girl to another (or sometimes another character), it was so addictive and interesting.
So yeah, I don’t think this book is for everyone but I still recommend you give it a try if the premise sounds interesting to you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Violence, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Sexual content
Here is a list of the content warnings and how is it that they’re present in the book, if you don’t want spoilers just skip this part:
Death of parent / Grief: Wanda lost her mother when she was eleven years old.
Child death: Wanda’s mother had a lot of babies but I think they died soon after being born or were stillborn.
Domestic abuse / Child abuse / Alcoholism / Violence: Wanda’s father was a really bad man, beating his three children for years and spending most of his money on alcohol.
Sexual content: There is just talk around the topic or slight mention of it, not explicit at all.
Misogyny / Sexism: Because Wanda’s father would just give her in exchange for a pig or alcohol. And there’s some other instances.
The Fiancée Farce by Alexandria Bellefleur
Things I disliked:
lighthearted
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
3.0
You don’t understand how SAD I am that my last sapphic readings have been a 3 ⭐ and in some cases a disappointment, is it because I’m a fantasy girly and they were contemporary? am I the problem? lol. But yeah from the very beginning this felt like a 3 star book.
This book was a bit funny to me in the beginning because I imagined myself in the main character’s situation but applied to me, for example if I say I’m dating Harry Styles and then oh surprise! He is in the same room as me and tells my family he’s really dating me and not only that but we’re about to get married 💀
Things I liked:
Things I liked:
- I really liked that this was a dual pov and we could read what was going on in their heads so it wasn’t just from one and then we would get it all wrong, we knew what each girl was thinking and understand better their decisions / actions.
- Thank God I finally found a contemporary romance book where the characters TALK, they communicate like ADULTS, but then that was ruined by the end…
- I really liked seeing them together as friends and then as a couple because we saw how their relationship progressed.
Things I disliked:
- I don’t like insta love and this felt a little bit like that because Gemma kept repeating how Tansey isn’t her type at all and yet could not stop thinking about how pretty she is, and of course Tansey was one of those girls who keeps thinking she’s not pretty.
- I wish we saw a little bit more of their relationship with their friends instead of their shitty families.
- This book had my blood boiling and wishing this was a fantasy book so I could see the two assholes getting tortured after what they did, but especially that guy, ugh, so infuriating.
Anyways, this had a happy ending because of course everything is fixed in the last chapter (not that I’m mad about it, honestly if they didn’t give me that happy ending after making me so angry I would've rated this even lower)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Bullying, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Alcohol
Listing the trigger warnings and explaining them on how they happen in the book, if anyone is interested to know before reading this book:
Sexual content: There's a couple of sexual scenes between the main characters.
Sexual harassment / Bullying / Toxic relationship: These three go tight together. One of the main characters was in a relationship with this guy in high school, and this guy took pictures of her naked and shared them with the whole school.
Death of parent / Grief: One of the main characters lost her parents years ago but she's still grieving.
Misogyny: I strongly believe the reason why this rich family didn't want her to get the company is just because she's a woman.
Alcohol: Near the very end one of the main characters gets very drunk.
The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater
Can we just talk about the way Blue has the boys all wrapped around her little finger in this book? As if these boys never saw a girl in their life and she’s just like “not like other girls”, and I just don’t like that. (the only one safe from her is Ronanand just because I think he’s gay? )
Not plot important but I find it funny how every single Matthew I know has curly hair.
Not going to lie, I didn’t understand much about this Gray Man and it’s because I didn’t care either and got lost by the end, just listening without paying much attention because of personal stuff, but so little happens in these books that it doesn’t matter.
The one thing I did like a lot was how we were learning about Ronan’s powers and why his father left those rules in his will about the house.
Anyways, I feel like I would enjoy more these books if I finish them in 1 or 2 days instead of taking a week to read them.
I read other reviews and I’m sad I’m just not one of the girls who gets this book, I really hope the next books are better for me.
adventurous
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
A little bit disappointing coming from the 1st book that I really liked and then finding this. Not that 3 ⭐ is bad, but definitely was expecting more from this. I think that the rating was mainly because this was a easy read with the audiobook and entertaining enough, it wasn’t bad for a 2 star but it wasn’t that good either.
Instead of making me like the characters more, I stopped caring about them lol like I don’t care about Blue or Gansey or Ronan at all, Noah barely appears, and Adam… that was my favorite character on book 1 and here that love was shred to pieces with every decision he made or action he did (he had me screaming at him: stop being so proud you won’t accept help from the friends who love you, if a girl won’t kiss you then that’s the end of it and she doesn’t owe you any explanations and you shouldn’t be screaming at her, why would you disappear on your friend for hours like a baby doing a tantrum and getting him so worry)
Can we just talk about the way Blue has the boys all wrapped around her little finger in this book? As if these boys never saw a girl in their life and she’s just like “not like other girls”, and I just don’t like that. (the only one safe from her is Ronan
Not plot important but I find it funny how every single Matthew I know has curly hair.
Not going to lie, I didn’t understand much about this Gray Man and it’s because I didn’t care either and got lost by the end, just listening without paying much attention because of personal stuff, but so little happens in these books that it doesn’t matter.
The one thing I did like a lot was how we were learning about Ronan’s powers and why his father left those rules in his will about the house.
Anyways, I feel like I would enjoy more these books if I finish them in 1 or 2 days instead of taking a week to read them.
I read other reviews and I’m sad I’m just not one of the girls who gets this book, I really hope the next books are better for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Blood
The two trigger warning I’m pointing out are something that happened in Book 1 but are explained in this book. I personally don’t believe it’s a spoiler:
Suicide and blood: No one committed suicide. It’s just that, as is mention in Book 1, Ronan was found by his friends covered in blood and they just assumed he had tried to kill himself, but here we found out what really happened is that he got attacked in his dream and the damage that was done to him appeared in reality too.
All the Young Dudes - Volume Two: Years 5 - 7 by MsKingBean89
Did not finish book. Stopped at 47%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 47%.
For non-book records, review text and ratings are hidden. Only mood, pace, and content warnings are visible.
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
Did not finish book. Stopped at 16%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 16%.
(Tried to read this in January 2024)
I started this book already suspecting I would DNF this book and I was okay with it. I mean… yeah I listened to 16% but that’s because I just needed something to hear while I was doing laundry, after one day I just wanted something else, on the second day I said I would not let more than 2 days pass until I picked this up again, on the 4th day I could not even remember I was reading this, and the rest of the days I just knew I could easily DNF this with no guilt. Today is day 8 after I started this and I’m writing this lmao.
This book just checks every single box in my “When to DNF a book” list: don’t care about the story or characters, can’t even remember what that 16% was about and I’m sure it would not have had a plot anyways, and most importantly, I’m not the public intended for this book, this is simply not my kind of book, I’m sure this contemporary and literay book talking about this rich people and the poor family who moves with them is interesting for some people, but I’m not one of them, couldn’t care less about whatever you want to tell me or teach me here, just give me my dragons and magic and fantasy.
I started this book already suspecting I would DNF this book and I was okay with it. I mean… yeah I listened to 16% but that’s because I just needed something to hear while I was doing laundry, after one day I just wanted something else, on the second day I said I would not let more than 2 days pass until I picked this up again, on the 4th day I could not even remember I was reading this, and the rest of the days I just knew I could easily DNF this with no guilt. Today is day 8 after I started this and I’m writing this lmao.
This book just checks every single box in my “When to DNF a book” list: don’t care about the story or characters, can’t even remember what that 16% was about and I’m sure it would not have had a plot anyways, and most importantly, I’m not the public intended for this book, this is simply not my kind of book, I’m sure this contemporary and literay book talking about this rich people and the poor family who moves with them is interesting for some people, but I’m not one of them, couldn’t care less about whatever you want to tell me or teach me here, just give me my dragons and magic and fantasy.
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
adventurous
mysterious
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
4.0
This series has been in my TBR since 2018, so I figured I should start 2024 by finally reading it and I'm so glad to say I enjoyed it a lot and finished the audiobook in one day (great narrator)!
I really liked the characters and can't wait to see more of them, I love how Blue is so independent but also relies on her family to help her and they are always there for her; I want to know more about Gansey to have him as favorite, I see the potential, but we'll see; I already love Adam and just want to protect him but also smack him for his pride lol; Ronan is starting to grow on me but is going to take time with his personality ; and for whatever little we get to see of Noah I'm liking him too I like Noah (never getting over this personal things because it's just so funny, can't believe I avoided spoilers for SIX years only to go into twitter that day, read their names and then see how Noah is a ghost lmao I mean I wasn't sure if he wasn't joking at the beginning when he said that he had been dead for 7 years, but the biggest surprise was that he was the boy murdered by the boys's professor, that would've good to find out on my own, but no big deal)
ALSO, I know I'm not the only one who saw the connection here: The Raven Boys reminded me of The Marauders! (don't expect something exactly like them, just something similar in dynamics, personalities, role in the group, but it was nice to see)
Love all the paranormal stuff about being able to see ghosts and the souls of people who will die, this "prophecy" on Blue, Ronan'spower with dreams that made him being able to take out an animal to the real world!? and I'm excited to see more of that in the 2nd book.
I agree with other reviews though that this has an open ending, you won't get answers here, in fact you will have more questions on how things work and what the characters are going to do about it, but you will really want to know them and continue with this story and the characters. So if you're okay with that read this book.
So happy my first book of the year was so good.
I really liked the characters and can't wait to see more of them, I love how Blue is so independent but also relies on her family to help her and they are always there for her; I want to know more about Gansey to have him as favorite, I see the potential, but we'll see; I already love Adam and just want to protect him but also smack him for his pride lol; Ronan is starting to grow on me but is going to take time with his personality ; and for whatever little we get to see of Noah I'm liking him too I like Noah (never getting over this personal things because it's just so funny, can't believe I avoided spoilers for SIX years only to go into twitter that day, read their names and then see how Noah
ALSO, I know I'm not the only one who saw the connection here: The Raven Boys reminded me of The Marauders! (don't expect something exactly like them, just something similar in dynamics, personalities, role in the group, but it was nice to see)
Love all the paranormal stuff about being able to see ghosts and the souls of people who will die, this "prophecy" on Blue, Ronan's
I agree with other reviews though that this has an open ending, you won't get answers here, in fact you will have more questions on how things work and what the characters are going to do about it, but you will really want to know them and continue with this story and the characters. So if you're okay with that read this book.
So happy my first book of the year was so good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Self harm, Murder, and Alcohol
If you want to know more about the Trigger Warnings I'm leaving the specifics here, but some are spoilers and be aware some might affect you. For a longer list of the Triggers look into the feature of Storygraph, but I think this are the most notable: SELF HARM (doesn't happen to any of the main characters, it just shocked me how this random character just dropped a comment about "slitting her wrists" as if it was a joke. ) ;; MURDER / DEATH (There's 2 cases of this, both involving 17 yo kids being both the murder and the victim. They happen around these pages Won't say names so it's not an spoiler, but you find out about one at 30% and the other one happens near the end. ) ;; GUN VIOLENCE (no names mentioned: a guy in his 20's having a 17yo kid at gun point , and the Murder involves a gun.) ;; KIDNAPPING (let's just say the bad guy gets kidnapped so who cares lol) ;; DOMESTIC ABUSE BOTH PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL INVOLVING A CHILD (We see just one big scene of this but that's enough, one of the boys suffers from this at home and you will hate his father. If you want to know the name, it happens to Adam , one of Gansey's best friend ) ;; ALCOHOLISM (No one is surprised to hear that the abusive father is the one who drinks.)
Camp Half-Blood Confidential by Rick Riordan
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0