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newbietobyy

my hobbies keep me afloat

722 points

0% overlap
Level 4
Fall 2025 Readalong
My Taste
Scythe (Arc of a Scythe, #1)
Norwegian Wood
Mary
The Nightingale
House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City, #1)

newbietobyy finished reading and wrote a review...

3d
  • The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi (Amina al-Sirafi, #1)
    newbietobyy
    Nov 13, 2025
    4.5
    Enjoyment: 4.0Quality: 5.0Characters: 5.0Plot: 4.0

    It took a while for The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi to warm up to me. Mainly, the book is set in Indian Ocean, and embraces the culture around that area. Personally, I have the familiarity comparable to a tiny bean when it comes to that geographical part of the world. Fortunately, Chakraborty's writing style balances this out. With great details and information she gives, her words felt like a warm hug: it was easy to digest and felt familiar.

    Full review: https://mememesmedia.wordpress.com/2025/11/13/the-adventures-of-amina-al-sirafi-a-captivating-blend-of-historical-fiction-and-fantasy/

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  • The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi (Amina al-Sirafi, #1)
    The characters?

    The characters’ quirks and personalities are probably the best part.

    14
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  • newbietobyy made progress on...

    5d
    The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi (Amina al-Sirafi, #1)

    The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi (Amina al-Sirafi, #1)

    Shannon Chakraborty

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    newbietobyy made progress on...

    1w
    The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi (Amina al-Sirafi, #1)

    The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi (Amina al-Sirafi, #1)

    Shannon Chakraborty

    41%
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    newbietobyy made progress on...

    1w
    The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi (Amina al-Sirafi, #1)

    The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi (Amina al-Sirafi, #1)

    Shannon Chakraborty

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    newbietobyy finished reading and wrote a review...

    1w
  • Stepsister
    newbietobyy
    Nov 07, 2025
    4.5
    Enjoyment: 5.0Quality: 4.0Characters: 4.0Plot: 4.5

    4.75!

    The book was deeply thought of. Numerous additions, yet it stayed loyal to the classic Cinderella story. There is war, with the young, bethroned king who lacks experience takes a toll on France. Fate and Chance fighting over a mere mortal's future, while the fairy god-mother watching from a distance. The ugly stepsisters with hatred in their hearts and struggling to find their own grooms. And lastly, a side of the perfect Ella we all know about.

    Full review: https://mememesmedia.wordpress.com/2025/11/04/review-stepsister-jennifer-donnellys-dark-and-empowering-fairy-tale/

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  • newbietobyy made progress on...

    1w
    The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi (Amina al-Sirafi, #1)

    The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi (Amina al-Sirafi, #1)

    Shannon Chakraborty

    12%
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    newbietobyy started reading...

    1w
    The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi (Amina al-Sirafi, #1)

    The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi (Amina al-Sirafi, #1)

    Shannon Chakraborty

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    Post from the Stepsister forum

    2w
  • Stepsister
    Its been a long time since I actually enjoyed a YA book

    As someone who grew up with fairytales, I guess this is an exception since it is a retelling the classic Cinderella. BUT I really devoured this one. The simplicity, the numerous additions that just makes sense (the clever personifications of ‘fate’, ‘chance’ and ‘tranquill’), and the character growth of the ugly stepsister were just 🥹.

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  • newbietobyy made progress on...

    2w
    Stepsister

    Stepsister

    Jennifer Donnelly

    100%
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    newbietobyy finished reading and wrote a review...

    2w
  • Little Eve
    newbietobyy
    Nov 01, 2025
    4.0
    Enjoyment: 4.0Quality: 3.0Characters: 3.5Plot: 4.5

    Easily grasping and fast-paced, the story of Eve and Dinah is not for the faint-hearted. As normal as they think their lives were, Uncle managed to capture their freedoms by formulating a religion based off of the castle and the ocean that surrounds the island, together with his stories, a snake and the loyalty of his little family.

    Full review: https://mememesmedia.wordpress.com/2025/11/01/little-eve-by-catriona-ward-twisted-gothic-horror-and-family-secrets/

    https://open.substack.com/pub/mememedia/

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  • newbietobyy made progress on...

    2w
    Stepsister

    Stepsister

    Jennifer Donnelly

    29%
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    Post from the Little Eve forum

    2w
  • Little Eve
    Do not recommend

    I do not recommended drinking and then reading the last 50 pages where all the revelations happen. I only remember half of them but I know they were mind blowing.

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  • newbietobyy made progress on...

    2w
    Little Eve

    Little Eve

    Catriona Ward

    73%
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    newbietobyy made progress on...

    2w
    Little Eve

    Little Eve

    Catriona Ward

    18%
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    Post from the The Master and Margarita forum

    3w
  • The Master and Margarita
    Done!

    Ill miss Behemoth. He is such a fun character.

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  • newbietobyy commented on a post

    3w
  • Jane Eyre
    Thoughts from 28%
    spoilers

    View spoiler

    15
    comments 10
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