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calyxworld's reviews
9 reviews
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Light, frothy, delightful. A perfect cup of coffee on a sunny afternoon
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
Heart of the Sun Warrior by Sue Lynn Tan
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What a joy! What a delight!!
I may never forgive Sue for Prince Yanming…
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
That girl has not met a prince she couldn’t charm! What a delightful read.
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi (Novel) Vol. 1 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is a witty, light-hearted, romantic romp, with decidedly dark undertones. The determinedly upbeat main character, Wei Wuxian, means that you rarely focus in depth on the heavier subject materials, and as a result the implications are often more chilling. The somewhat non-chronological story-telling allows the world-building to be filled in as the plot rattles along, and both the world and the characters feel extremely realised. Waiting excitedly for volume two!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Self harm, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Homophobia and Alcohol
There are some heavy topics, but generally glossed over to a degree, as the main character does not want to dwell on them. I will be adding the appropriate content warnings for each volume, as opposed to for the book in full - as a result there are some that are not present now, but will be in the reviews for each individual volume.
Escape from the Antarctic by Ernest Shackleton
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
4.0
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.75
This is cheerful and delightful, while still having depth and being (relatively) grounded in reality. It's a sweet book, and I am full of yearning
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
There is something enthralling and poignant in the shift between Piranesi's charm, enthusiasm, and naïvety, and the vicious and destructive forces of academia.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Dementia, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Gun violence, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Child death
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is exceptionally written, engaging and fast-paced. It is, by nature of the story it's telling, extremely dark at points, but this shouldn't put you off. Each character is interesting and developed, each relationship built up to show the vast complexities that can link or distance two people. The world is extremely grounded in a real sense of history, and each choice made by the characters is clearly a product of their experiences thus far.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Genocide, Infertility, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Violence