briipearl's reviews
653 reviews

Don't Let the Forest In by C.G. Drews

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

3.25

3.25 Stars - Left me "staring at the wall" when I had completed it, like the author requested - but I'm not sure it was in a good way. The story was twisty, dark, "lush", and constantly up for interpretation - but it still left me feeling a bit flat. I will probably think about it for awhile - so, that's something. 
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Why I Wake Early: New Poems by Mary Oliver

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emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

4.0

I fall back to Oliver in times of needing comfort - and I can't wait to add this piece to my poetry shelf. Favorites in this collection included: Something, Mindful, and The Best I Could Do. 
Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

3.75

Enjoyed this one thoroughly! (Sort of an unexpected win, as I’ve never read any of Verne’s work before and didn’t know what to expect.) Axel served as a lovable narrator, with his ever-human weaknesses and fears playing a part in their journey. Professor L. was the eccentric, Energizer Bunny that drove the story. And Hans… the hero I had no idea would become the hero. Fun read! Verne’s love of science and geography is PALPABLE in this piece. 
Secrets of the Sea: The Story of Jeanne Power, Revolutionary Marine Scientist by Evan Griffith

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adventurous informative inspiring medium-paced

4.25

This was incredibly done! I love discovering women in history via children's books. (Learning about Jeanne via Secrets of the Sea has encouraged me to research her more, outside of the children's realm.) The illustrations were quite beautiful and the story flowed in a way that left you knowing the mark she made on the world. 
Monsters in the Briny by Lynn Becker

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

4.0

Oh, this was GOOD! I didn't even peek ahead at the sheet music to know the tune and I'd already made one up in my head, ha! -- Super cute illustrations, great use of vocabulary and rhythm, such a fun read! 
Saint by Adrienne Young

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adventurous hopeful tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Saint was different than I expected, I won't lie. I honestly figured the storyline would follow more of Saint and Isolde's adventures --> then lead into Fable's childhood. Instead, this prequel surrounds how Saint + Isolde met and I was perfectly okay with that, too! It gave so much interesting backstory on all The Narrows' most essential characters and
[helped connect the dots of West's lineage]
. *I was a bit shook. Did I miss something in Fable and Namesake?

I still think I connected more with Fable, as a reader, versus with Isolde - but enjoyed this installment immensely and reconnecting with The Lark's crew. Young really is a professional at dual POV. 
Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes

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challenging dark emotional hopeful sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated

4.0

One-sitting read - once I began, I couldn't put it down. A truly moving piece and a permanent installation in my middle-grade library at home and at school. 
Deep, Deep Down: The Secret Underwater Poetry of the Mariana Trench by Lydia Lukidis

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adventurous informative mysterious fast-paced

3.75

Cute, informative intro to the Mariana Trench and the creatures that inhabit it. The illustrations were beautiful and the breadth of species examined was impressive. 
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I'm always a bit nervous to read a book that's been *hyped* on social media - but this one didn't let me down and I'm excited it was my first five-star for 2025. Divine Rivals was my own personal preference cocktail of: mythology, romance, history, "old" worldbuilding, and character arcs. I found the MCs to be likeable, realistic, and (eventually) even lovable. The ending was...strange - but hoping I find closure with Ruthless Vows and discover even more of the backstory behind the gods/goddesses who are warring with one another. 
Namesake by Adrienne Young

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adventurous hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes

3.75

3.75 stars, rounded up to 4! (Loved this second installment in The World of the Narrows.) It didn't seem to pace quite as fast as Fable did but I still enjoyed digging into these characters deeper, exploring more of the seas and the ports, and putting some of the pieces of the puzzle together. Grabbing Saint next and excited to get the "backstory."