shifu's Updates en-US Mon, 02 Jun 2025 07:06:23 -0700 60 shifu's Updates 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg Review4923205696 Mon, 02 Jun 2025 07:06:23 -0700 <![CDATA[shifu added 'A Good Girl's Guide to Murder']]> /review/show/4923205696 A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson shifu gave 5 stars to A Good Girl's Guide to Murder (A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, #1) by Holly Jackson
bookshelves: detective-shifu-reporting, favourite-plots, my-girls, favourite-friendships, love-you-to-the-moon-and-to-saturn, gangs-i-want-to-join
The AGGGTM TV show made a lot of decisions. And nearly all of them were bad ones. The only good thing about them though is that they made me realize the strong points of this book.


˗ˏˋ � 1. pip's brilliance � ˎˊ˗

If anyone other than Pip had taken on this case in the book, they wouldn't have been able to solve it. It's her way of thinking, her character that serves as the basis for why she was able to crack the case. The book was what it was because Pip solved everything; it was Pip who saw things no one else could. In short, it was Pip's brilliance that solved the case.

But in the TV show—her brilliance just isn’t there. Anyone could’ve been in her place, and they might have potentially solved the case too. I couldn't feel those "big brain" moments in the TV show that I could so naturally associate with book Pip.

It's stark when you compare the two. Book Pip was a force of nature. TV show Pip was just�eh.


˗ˏˋ � 2. book ravi vs. tv show ravi � ˎˊ˗

One thing I liked about book Ravi was that he shined on his own but never overshadowed Pip. He added to her ideas, helped her when needed, but it was always Team Ravi and Pip.

TV show Ravi, on the other hand—oh god, I couldn't even feel any chemistry between them. Their relationship and his character as portrayed in the show was so disappointing to me.


˗ˏˋ � 3. the relationship between pip and her stepdad � ˎˊ˗

I LOVED the relationship between Pip and Victor in the book. Her love and trust for him, his "pickle" nickname for her 😭😭😭—I adored it.

But the TV show absolutely ruined their relationship. The unnecessary strain between them in the show was so out of place and uncalled for. It was heartbreaking to see one of my favorite aspects of the book get completely mangled 💔.


˗ˏˋ � 4. no unnecessary plot points � ˎˊ˗

Everything that happened in the books was crucial to the story. It was essential for solving the case.

In the TV show, however, things were scattered at random without any consideration for their relevance to the mystery. Nat was Andie’s BFF? Umm, WHY? Why was that even needed? Pip is unhappy with Victor? Dan da Silva suddenly gives Pip his backstory? So many things Pip solved herself in the books are just handed to her in the show? WHY???


˗ˏˋ � bottom line � ˎˊ˗

I'm pretty sure i'm missing a lot of other points but the TV show was honestly a disappointment. I think this is why so many book-to-movie/TV show adaptations fail in general. Making viewers/readers feel the same things they felt while reading the book in a different form of media is just not that easy of a task.

In the end, I think the only thing the show succeeded in doing was highlighting all the aspects of the book that made it so intriguing in the first place. ]]> Review7538906439 Mon, 02 Jun 2025 07:06:20 -0700 <![CDATA[shifu added 'Lights Out']]> /review/show/7538906439 Lights Out by Navessa Allen shifu gave 1 star to Lights Out (Into Darkness, #1) by Navessa Allen
bookshelves: disappointment-valley, dishonor-on-your-cow, dnf
dnf@45%, skimmed the rest of the book

this was way too boring for me. the writing was horrendous. i actually wanted to read it for the laughs, but i couldn’t find a single thing funny.

things that irked me:

- unlocking a new kink every 2 pages like it’s a gacha game.
- the zero plot (atleast as far as i read)
- the writing. the. writing. i’m not exaggerating when i say wattpad circa 2012 had higher standards.
- the fangirling dialogues icked me out. i'm sorry but they were just not it for me.
- the characters were so flat i started to think maybe they were ai-generated. josh was a hacker. aly was a nurse. they both wanted to do the diddle daddle with each other. that’s it. that’s their whole existence.
- both mc's being certified losers 🤡🙏🏻
- the huge explanations that had me zoning out time and again.

to be very honest, i don't "hate" it. it's just so painfully boring that i could not care less about this book. clearly i'm too old for this (i'm 55 y/o) and not the target demographic.

i was trying to finish it but then i remembered i’m not being held hostage and dnf’d it with pride 🎀💗

-----------------------------------------

i didn't know that people genuinely find shirtless men wearing ghost masks attractive 😭🤡 i thought that was just something men do that they think is attractive but we women make fun of them for it (because it's icky and cringey, no i will not hear you out).

and now there's an entire book surrounding that fact? 😭 byeee. adding it to my tbr for when i need a good laugh and to lose a few brain cells. ]]> ReadStatus9400609966 Mon, 02 Jun 2025 07:05:49 -0700 <![CDATA[shifu finished reading 'Lights Out']]> /review/show/7538906439 Lights Out by Navessa Allen shifu finished reading Lights Out by Navessa Allen
]]> Rating863575778 Sun, 01 Jun 2025 22:09:25 -0700 <![CDATA[shifu liked a userstatus]]> /
shifu liked shifu's status update
shifu
shifu added a status update: unpopular opinion, but i love cracks in the spine of my books. i love folded page corners, random papers tucked inside, and notes scribbled in the margins—forever an almanac of a past version of me. i love when a book is so loved that it becomes something uniquely mine.

to be loved is to be changed.
]]> Comment291283436 Sun, 01 Jun 2025 22:08:32 -0700 <![CDATA[shifu commented on shifu's review of Twisted Love]]> /review/show/4865543345 shifu's review of Twisted Love (Twisted, #1)
by Ana Huang

Nadia wrote: "Ahhhh 🥰🥰🥰 this review appeared on my feed again and it makes me so happy 😘😘😘"

😭 ilyyy ]]> Review4865543345 Sun, 01 Jun 2025 22:08:04 -0700 <![CDATA[shifu added 'Twisted Love']]> /review/show/4865543345 Twisted Love by Ana Huang shifu gave 1 star to Twisted Love (Twisted, #1) by Ana Huang
bookshelves: disappointment-valley, dishonor-on-your-cow, made-me-feel-broke
Never, in my history of hating dominating men, have i hated a man as much as i hate Alex Volkov.

First of all, what is up with the covers. I just - STOP. LOOK AT IT. I mentally gag everytime i see it. Now onto the point which is: this book. Let's make a checklist of the things that we have in this book:
� cringe
� STUPIDITY
� Alex thinking that the entire world revolves around him
� an absolutely brilliant assortment of the most stupidest side characters i've ever seen
� sunshine *gags*
� the absolute, most coolest, cleverest quote to exist ever: You are the light to my dark
� bad writing
� every. single. popular. trope. you can think of. existing. in. this book.
� an absolutely boring side plot going on
� PURE PHYSICAL ATTRACTION

alexxxxxxxxxxxxxx. Okay. EVERYTIME I READ HIS NAME I HAVE SUCH A VISCERAL REACTION THAT I NEED TO COUNT TO 10.



He is constitued of every single quality that i hate in man. Boy thinks he's darker than a *insert a dark thing here cause idk a dark thing*. He basically sucks. According to Alex, everyone around him is the definition of stupid 🤩. Don't you just loooooove it when your male mc is an ✨intellectual snobberist�?? He is supposed to be a CEO or whatever the fuck BUT he has a single thought in his head. His dick. And he thinks about it alllll the freaking time like it's the most prized possession in the entire world.

He possesses qualities like:
1. He is soooo dark that people were scared of him even when he was 11 :)

2. He is so clever that he was giving ✨a d v i c e� to people 50 years older than him on how to run a freaking company.

3. He is sooooooooooooooo intimidating that he can go to his gf's place of work and threaten the guy - because see the guy has no spine (obviously) and he is totally scum and OBVIOUSLY he saw the "darkness" dripping from Alex's eyes and OBVIOUSLY he would let some guy he doesn't even know step all over him 🥺🥺🥺

bah humbug.

For a person with some bajillion level IQ, Alex sure was sharp as a marble <3 [spoilers removed] and he's sooooooooooo clever that he gave the most unique, never before seen, amazing, distinctive nickname ever: S U N S H I N E 👏👏👏 (sunshine is a cute nickname only when it comes from the right person, let me just hate this man in peace)



And then there's Ava. She is sooooooo sunshine-y and cute because even tho every bad thing has happened to her, SHE WAS BRAVE IN THE FACE OF EVIL.

However, Alex lying to her turned off her light that freaking glowed from her intestines bah whatever. You're telling me that you're more broken over your boyfriend of less than one year leaving you than your one parent supposedly drowning you [spoilers removed] :))) THE FUCK?



And then there were the sex scenes. Let's read an excerpt:
“I hope you’re not attached to your underwear,� he said.
My brows drew together. “Wha—� The sound of fabric tearing answered my incomplete question.
Alex’s mouth curled into a sly grin at my shocked expression. “Since we’ve established that you’re a screamer,� he said. “Open your mouth.�
My resistance collapsed.
I opened my mouth, and he shoved my underwear in, muffling my moan. I shivered when I tasted the slickness of my arousal.

THE. FUCK. Now dark and dangerous men in books are shoving your underwear in your mouth. I'm sorry WHAT ABOUT HYGIENE 🤡🤡🤡 ??? That was so disgusting i had to (literally) stop myself from not vomiting. idk what anyone says.

Also a very important question: WHY DIDN'T THEY NOTICE EACH OTHER FOR EIGHT YEARS. In the first chapter, Ava mentions that they haven't talked this much since 5ever. GIRL?? Are you kidding me? You just suddenly, randomly, one day decided to be wet for him *guffaws*. dumbasses.

There are more things i should mention but i don't want to spend another mintue talking about Alex. goodBYE *throws book into space*

]]> Review6775732387 Sun, 01 Jun 2025 22:08:02 -0700 <![CDATA[shifu added 'Watch Me']]> /review/show/6775732387 Watch Me by Tahereh Mafi shifu gave 2 stars to Watch Me (Shatter Me: The New Republic, #1) by Tahereh Mafi
bookshelves: i-was-waiting-for-you-to-be-great, favourite-friendships, gangs-i-want-to-join
� ‧₊˚ � 2.5 "i-was-waiting-for-you-to-be-great" stars

'watch me' is actually about Rosabelle and James staring at each other half the time. that’s why it’s called 'watch me' � because of the constant staring at each other �

kenji and aaron literally carried the book—my strong kings, ugh 😌💅🏻🎀

this is gonna be long so buckle up.

this book can be easily divided into two parts. my rating for the first half would be 3.5 stars. that part is funny (thanks to james), with some high stakes, new discoveries on every page, and, of course—escape.

the second half though? a solid 1.5 stars. it’s slow, it’s repetitive, and it drags on with nothing new happening. by that point, we already know what's coming, and it's just like, okay, cool, i guess we’re just waiting for the inevitable? where’s the fun in that?



this isn't a bad book per se, but i also feel like it doesn't have that particular 'shatter me' feel that made reading the original series so much fun. i only felt excitement about what james might do in the first half. other than that, my only interest was in the original characters, or when they were mentioned or their interactions.

which brings me to my point: if the whole point of this book is to cash in on the love for the original characters, then why the heck are we being introduced to a whole new cast? we’re supposed to care about them, love them, feel things for them, right?

but i didn’t (or at least not as much as i hoped to)


˗ˏˋ � the main characters � ˎˊ˗

� James Anderson:

listen - i liked james in the first half. he was funny and acted like kenji but also possessed some qualities specific to aaron. it was fun to read his pov but god did he annoy me in the second half. people around him kept calling him naive and that's what it felt like - he was being so freaking naive.

and the ending? bruh, he pissed me off. [spoilers removed]


� Rosabelle Wolff:

i sympathized with her, but i swear i could not care less about this girl. she is okay, but her pov is so boringggg 😭🤡 maybe that's the entire point since she needs to appear as "dead" and "devoid of feelings" to everyone around her, but rosabelle babe, we are inside your mind, give us some crumbs to your personality atleast. 🤡😭 i did like her thoughts about synthetic intelligence and government though.

also, homegirl said james looks better than aaron 🤡🤡🤡😭😭😭☝🏻☝🏻☝� girlie i'll pay for the eye surgery.


� James + Rosabelle

i didn't feel any chemistry between them. it was too insta-attraction, too 'she's/he's the prettiest thing i've ever seen, so brain functions are gone and imma start to forgo everything i've learnt in my life.' give me SOMETHING 😭🤸🏻‍♀�, some actual tension beyond just googly eyes at each other's faces.

maybe this is my major critique of the second half. had i felt more for the characters and their romance, i wouldn't have found it so dull.

half the time they're just staring at each other, jesus 🤡 "Today I watched her braid her hair. Braid and unbraid it. Braid and unbraid it" JAMES I WILL KICK YOU SHUT YO' TRAP 😭🙏🏻 bro thinks he's aaron warner 😒 criminal offensive side eye

and aaron being able to read all of james's emotions HELP i cringed sm and got so much second hand embarassement from that part 😭 imagine thinking about that type of stuff and someone like AARON WARNER can read your mind about that. i would kms.


˗ˏˋ � the plot/world building/writing � ˎˊ˗

the plot is nice at the starting, ngl. the world-building is interesting, and we get to see the original world expand. it was nice seeing it through someone else’s lens + klaus is such an interesting character, damn. probably one of my favorite things from this book. the writing is also quite nice—simple and easy to read 😌 no critiques there.


˗ˏˋ � the og gang � ˎˊ˗

the main reason we all read this, let's be real. i was screaming when they came up - my beloved family 😭💕💞


� Aaron Warner

aaron warner being a loving husband and the SHEER AURA of my man. damn, preach.

the way everyone started quaking every time he entered the room—i'm over here having a spiritual experience—akjdshsajfdsjbshgjds—but HE'S STILL AS SOFT FOR JULIETTE AS HE WAS 10 YEARS AGO 😭😭😭 the only couple ever.

the crumbs we got of kenji and aaron being besties—brb crying 😭 AND KENJI TELLING AARON THAT [spoilers removed] i was about to cry—they are best friends, i'm crying, i'm tears.

aaron outmaneuvering [spoilers removed] was SO HOT OF HIM, my intelligent maaaaan.

also, people saying that aaron was being cruel at the end—babe, what? no, he wasn't. everyone protects things they love, and we've seen time and again that aaron would do anything for people he cares about. y'all acting like he isn’t responsible for an entire fucking REPUBLIC—[spoilers removed] should he stop doing his freaking job? smh, nonsense, y’all trippin�.


� Kenjiiiiiii

MY MAN, PLS. he's as perfect as ever. HE STILL HAS THE SAME HEART OF GOLD, PLS, and not him saying "jello," "daddy anderson"—HELP, THE HUMOR I'VE MISSED 😭💕



and wtf was that about [spoilers removed] PLEASE, MY MAN HAS SUFFERED ENOUGH!!!! HE DESERVES BETTER (i volunteer as tribute). he better have the entire world at his feet in book 2, idc.


� Adam:

i was kinda surprised seeing adam as a passive member, but good for him, i guess. ngl, we've clowned that man enough. i may never care about him, but i'm still happy he got a good family and his character wasn't completely screwed up because of his mistakes (cough tamlin from acotar cough).


� Juliette:

my girlllll 😭 i wish we got to see her in action, but she's pregnant, so i guess that was out of the question. but i SOOOOO wanted to see her be a girlboss and take charge as THE SUPREME COMMANDER in this book. i was robbed, idk.

and her friendship with kenji 😭💕💕 they're watching movies—dsbbhjkjlsadj, brb crying. my favorite friendship, now and forever.


� Warnette

still the greatest couple ever. the crumbs we got were good ngl 😌 do i wish we got to see more? ofc. but i understand that this book wasn't about them.


˗ˏˋ � fav quotes/parts � ˎˊ˗

� “Hey, don’t make fun of my husband,� Juliette says playfully, and pinches him. “He works hard.�
Kenji yelps. Popcorn forgotten, he turns to look at her with wide eyes. “Did you just, like, zap me with your killing power?�
She laughs. “Only a little bit.�
“Only a little bit?� His eyes go wider. “J, you can literally murder people with only a little bit—�
“She can murder whoever she wants,� Warner says flatly. “Don’t stifle her.�

everything, EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS PART—their dynamic, Aaron saying she can murder anyone she wants—BYEEEE, Kenji & Juliette, my girl finally feeling comfortable enough in her skin to PLAY with her power, ohhh 😭💗




� "My own half-brother is basically running the world with his wife"

yessir. yessir. yessir.


� “For what it’s worth, Jeff, I fucking love lasagna.�

that was so funny 😭


� His eyes seem to shimmer, as if laughter comes to him freely—and yet he single-handedly slaughtered a dozen soldiers. He was unarmed.

HE LEARNT THAT FROM AARON—BYE. THROWBACK TO THE MACHETE SCENE.


� "Minds and organs sacrificed at the altar of artificial learning."

what a line.


� If we believe our choices are our own—if we do not know we are being bent into obeisance—we will not be tempted to revolt. The ultimate goal of synthetic intelligence, then, is the obliteration of organic intelligence. The eradication of resistance.

oh, I loved the critique of AI here.


� “The thing is, I’d tell you what we’re going to do, except� You’re recording me right now, aren’t you, you little trash panda? And I’m not going to tell you shitheads exactly what I have planned.�

SO KENJI CODED.


� “They’re for my wife,� Warner says sharply.
“What? You have a wife?� Kenji throws his arm around Warner and squeezes. “You’re married? Congrats, man. I had no idea. You literally never mention it.�

STOP, THEY'RE STILL THE SAME—MY BELOVEDS 😭😭😭.


� “I think it’s a great idea,� says Juliette, smiling at Warner the way she always does. Like he can do nothing wrong.

sobbing, that's my husband and his wife.


� “—and she nearly killed all of us just because Daddy Anderson asked her to.�
“Jesus.� I drag my hands down my face. “Don’t call him Daddy.�

THIS WAS HILARIOUS—DADDY ANDERSON 🤸🏻‍♀️�.


� “Don’t exaggerate because you’re jealous,� says Kenji. “If you want popcorn, all you have to do is ask.�
“I shouldn’t have to ask,� Warner counters icily. “You’re supposed to offer.�

best duo, idc, idc, idc.


� “I just gasped,� says Kenji, not gasping.
“Me too,� says Juliette, also not gasping.

BIRDS OF A FEATHER 😭😭😭


� “Sweetheart,� Juliette says softly, and Warner immediately stills, his body tensing.

hsdbajdfbdjbgkudshkjkehshdsbfhsbjdfb the greatest love of our time

(there aren't any James or Rosabelle quotes because I couldn't care enough, I'm sorry 😭)


˗ˏˋ � bottom line � ˎˊ˗

this is an extremely subjective take on this book because if i liked james/rosa more that i did, i would have given it a higher rating. i always say that tahereh's strength is her characters; the more you like her characters, the more you love her books.

so, if you're all about james and rosa, and their simping for each other, you’ll probably love this one.

how i feel after yapping so much:



˗ˏˋ � pre-read � ˎˊ˗

dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron. dilf aaron.

i'm excited only for the sake of warnette because even though james would be older, i would still feel like i'm reading about a 10 y/0 kid whom i cannot simp over 😭� ]]> Comment291283396 Sun, 01 Jun 2025 22:06:46 -0700 <![CDATA[shifu commented on shifu's review of Lights Out]]> /review/show/7538906439 shifu's review of Lights Out (Into Darkness, #1)
by Navessa Allen

kiryomi ౨ৎ wrote: "my friend read this entire thing bc she loves dark romance but won't admit it + i'm so concerned for her. 😭 condolences shifu but i love your review sm"

thankyou so much bestie 😭 and oh um - to each their own i suppose? ]]> Comment291283376 Sun, 01 Jun 2025 22:05:41 -0700 <![CDATA[shifu made a comment on shifu’s status]]> /user_status/show/1072431970 shifu made a comment on shifu’s status

david 🇵🇸 wrote: "realllll"

ikrr ]]> Comment291283218 Sun, 01 Jun 2025 21:59:04 -0700 <![CDATA[shifu commented on shifu's review of The Importance of Being Earnest]]> /review/show/4004098382 shifu's review of The Importance of Being Earnest
by Oscar Wilde

Salma� (exams till July 10th) wrote: "Hope you enjoy it again, bb🫶"

thankyou bestie <3 ]]>