It’s kind of scary how close this story hits to real life today. Everyone’s just glued to screens, scrolling TikTok for hours, barely even talking to each other. Nobody really wants to think deeply about anything anymore. It felt super real seeing how disconnected people were from each other, like Montag and his wife. They live together but they barely know each other and it feels so empty. Beatty is one of the most conflicted characters in Fahrenheit 451. He knows books better than almost anyone, quoting them easily, yet he uses that knowledge to justify burning them. It feels like he hates himself for it, and when Montag finally kills him, Beatty almost welcomes it, like he was too tired to keep living with the contradictions. Mildred is just as tragic. She spends all her time lost in empty entertainment, but deep down she knows something is wrong. Her suicide attempt early in the story shows she’s trying to escape a life that feels meaningless, even if she can’t admit it out loud. Both characters show how even those who seem to fit into the system are broken inside. The message feels even more important now than when it was written. Definitely worth reading.

This book was an intense and gripping read, blending real-world history with mythology in a way that feels both fascinating and brutal. The story is clearly not only inspired by, but almost directly copies 20th-century Chinese history, particularly the Second Sino-Japanese War, and the way R.F. Kuang weaves these real-life horrors into a fantasy setting is both haunting and thought-provoking. The inclusion of shamanic magic, gods, and mythological influences adds a layer of mysticism that makes the world feel rich and complex. However, the book takes a sharp tonal shift in the middle, moving from a military academy coming-of-age story to an extremely dark war narrative. While this shift is powerful, it can feel a bit jarring. Additionally, the magic system, which starts as something rare and almost legendary, suddenly becomes more widespread as the story progresses, which weakens some of the early intrigue around it. Despite these issues, The Poppy War is a standout in modern fantasy—raw, unflinching, and deeply engaging. If you’re interested in historical influences in fantasy and don’t mind some brutal themes, this is absolutely worth the read.

This is a great spin on the classic ground-hogs day trope—waking up each day further in the past to prevent a crime—but its execution is a bit uneven. The emotional depth of a mother trying to save her son is compelling, and the mystery unfolds in an interesting way, but the pacing can be sluggish. Some sections feel repetitive, and while the time-travel aspect adds intrigue, it’s not always clear how or why it works, which might frustrate readers who prefer more structured logic in their thrillers. The twists are engaging, but some feel predictable or overly convenient, making certain revelations less impactful. Additionally, while Jen is a strong, well-developed protagonist, other characters, like her husband and son, feel less fleshed out, which weakens the emotional stakes. That said, it’s still an entertaining read. If you enjoy thrillers that lean into emotional storytelling rather than strict logic, it’s worth checking out—but it might not fully satisfy those looking for a tightly woven, unpredictable mystery.