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30something_reads's reviews
676 reviews
The God and the Gumiho by Sophie Kim
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.25
I wasn't expecting that ending to leave me in tears, but here we are. 🥲
This was a thoroughly entertaining read and I can absolutely see how this is a love letter to k-dramas. Everything about the plot and the way the characters were just so over the top but still lovable.
The ending got me 🥲 I shouldn't have been surprised because it's such a classic ending for a story like this and the author could have absolutely left it at that (the last scene would play out so perfectly on screen) but I am glad there will be more to the story. Can't wait to see where this story goes!
This was a thoroughly entertaining read and I can absolutely see how this is a love letter to k-dramas. Everything about the plot and the way the characters were just so over the top but still lovable.
The ending got me 🥲 I shouldn't have been surprised because it's such a classic ending for a story like this and the author could have absolutely left it at that (the last scene would play out so perfectly on screen) but I am glad there will be more to the story. Can't wait to see where this story goes!
Monstrous Nights by Genoveva Dimova
adventurous
dark
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
I love dark, folklore inspired fantasies. I also love disaster sad-sack characters falling in love. So this duology is a win-win.
These were just some of my notes as I was reading. I'll compile full thoughts soon.
These were just some of my notes as I was reading. I'll compile full thoughts soon.
- I think Dimova does such a remarkable job of blending dark folklore with humor and intrigue.
- There is a humorous edge to so many of these characters that I adored. And some really sweet, silly moments that made me laugh. It was a nice balance to the themes of grief and guilt that so many of these characters are experiencing.
- It's canon that they read monster romance! I love this for everyone involved.
- Kikimoras are a real bitch. Would not recommend.
- Look at all of these queer monster loving fools! I love them.
- I do wish there had been just a pinch more of romance. The slow burn really slow burned but I still wanted just a little bit more. (even like a little epilogue with them being sweet and happy.)
Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.75
This was just as delightful and whimsical and everyone has said.
I enjoyed reading through the author's noted regarding a lot of the choices she made around historical elements included in the story and the choices made surrounding Dora's neurodivergence:
"- Some people theorize that children historically suspected to be stolen by faeries were in fact neurodivergent all along, and that faerie involvement was simply a fanciful method of explanation for this phenomenon. I love this idea, and therefore enjoy calling myself faerie-cursed."
I enjoyed reading through the author's noted regarding a lot of the choices she made around historical elements included in the story and the choices made surrounding Dora's neurodivergence:
"- Some people theorize that children historically suspected to be stolen by faeries were in fact neurodivergent all along, and that faerie involvement was simply a fanciful method of explanation for this phenomenon. I love this idea, and therefore enjoy calling myself faerie-cursed."
He Who Drowned the World by Shelley Parker-Chan
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Hey, umm how dare you, Shelley Parker-Chan??
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child death, Death, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Grief, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Ohhh. Ow. That was- yes. Right. Onto the next one. 🥲
Smut by Karina Halle
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
It's fine I just was in the mood and then woke up and was no longer in the mood. May come back to it another time.
The Maid and the Crocodile by Jordan Ifueko
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Such a charming and refreshing standalone! I didn't want it to end.
With so many lovely nods to Howl's Moving Castle and even lovelier themes, The Maid and the Crocodile is everything that I adore about YA Fantasy:
✨Lush worldbuilding (even as a book set in the established Raybearer duology, I was able to enjoy this without being privy to that story.)
🐊Sweet, well crafter characters that you can't help but root for.
✨A heartwarming found family.
🐊A (sometimes bumbling) love interest absolutely smitten with our heroine from the start.
✨A refreshing romance where our couple challenge and bring out the best in one another.
🐊Magic, mystery, prophecy, revolution, and a sweet little gecko companion.
With so many lovely nods to Howl's Moving Castle and even lovelier themes, The Maid and the Crocodile is everything that I adore about YA Fantasy:
✨Lush worldbuilding (even as a book set in the established Raybearer duology, I was able to enjoy this without being privy to that story.)
🐊Sweet, well crafter characters that you can't help but root for.
✨A heartwarming found family.
🐊A (sometimes bumbling) love interest absolutely smitten with our heroine from the start.
✨A refreshing romance where our couple challenge and bring out the best in one another.
🐊Magic, mystery, prophecy, revolution, and a sweet little gecko companion.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism and Classism
Minor: Death of parent and War
Love Code by Ann Aguirre
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
This is such a refreshingly subversive series.
I did enjoy this one more for the journey of self-discovery that Helix embarks on, rather than the romance. But, overall, the relationship with Kalu was very sweet.
*I do appreciate the acknowledgement and call outs for the eugenic practices that take place on Zylar 's world (from book 1)*
I did enjoy this one more for the journey of self-discovery that Helix embarks on, rather than the romance. But, overall, the relationship with Kalu was very sweet.
*I do appreciate the acknowledgement and call outs for the eugenic practices that take place on Zylar 's world (from book 1)*
Strange Love by Ann Aguirre
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
"I have never pleased anyone without trying. Never felt that who I am is enough. You are a miracle Beryl Bowman. My miracle."
I was literally in tears over Zylar and how fucking sweet these two were together.
They are so different to one another in every conceivable way and YET 😭♥️ The way their love surpassed and inspired exploration of all their physical boundaries! A truly beautiful alien romance in every possible way.
And SNAPS!!!!! Please, why have I never had an alien book explore the idea of giving a translator to the human's dog (because they aren't sure how primitive either of them are) and now we have a talking good boy companion along for the ride 😩♥️♥️
I was literally in tears over Zylar and how fucking sweet these two were together.
They are so different to one another in every conceivable way and YET 😭♥️ The way their love surpassed and inspired exploration of all their physical boundaries! A truly beautiful alien romance in every possible way.
And SNAPS!!!!! Please, why have I never had an alien book explore the idea of giving a translator to the human's dog (because they aren't sure how primitive either of them are) and now we have a talking good boy companion along for the ride 😩♥️♥️
A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft
adventurous
dark
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
5.0
Perfect. Gorgeous. Beautiful. No notes.
Honestly though, this is hands down, going to be one of my favorite reads from this year. I intend for it to be my entire personality during Autumn.
This is a beautifully atmospheric fantasy romance. The world and the folklore are vivid, dark, and lovely. A rivals to lovers romance, a murder mystery, and an epic quest set in a politically charged backdrop- this has everything I want in a standalone fantasy.
The slow-burn sapphic academic rivals to lovers plot is so deliciously paced and is enhanced by the single POV from Lorelei. Being inside her head, feeling her animosity, her stubbornness, her yearning- it was ALL to die for. I could ramble for days about how much I love Lorelei as a character. She has so much internalized self-loathing and locks her emotions up tightly to protect herself. It's just so delectable watching her spiral and lose control over Sylvia von Wolff as her rival dismantles all of her walls. And Sylvia is such an effervescent and wonderful balance to all of Lorelei's brooding. UGH. I adore them.
Anyways, yes. You should read this.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced e-copy and thank you to PRH Audio for an early copy of the audiobook.
Honestly though, this is hands down, going to be one of my favorite reads from this year. I intend for it to be my entire personality during Autumn.
This is a beautifully atmospheric fantasy romance. The world and the folklore are vivid, dark, and lovely. A rivals to lovers romance, a murder mystery, and an epic quest set in a politically charged backdrop- this has everything I want in a standalone fantasy.
The slow-burn sapphic academic rivals to lovers plot is so deliciously paced and is enhanced by the single POV from Lorelei. Being inside her head, feeling her animosity, her stubbornness, her yearning- it was ALL to die for. I could ramble for days about how much I love Lorelei as a character. She has so much internalized self-loathing and locks her emotions up tightly to protect herself. It's just so delectable watching her spiral and lose control over Sylvia von Wolff as her rival dismantles all of her walls. And Sylvia is such an effervescent and wonderful balance to all of Lorelei's brooding. UGH. I adore them.
Anyways, yes. You should read this.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced e-copy and thank you to PRH Audio for an early copy of the audiobook.