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indieandajean's reviews
408 reviews
In Defense of Witches: The Legacy of the Witch Hunts and Why Women Are Still on Trial by Mona Chollet
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
The Diva Runs Out of Thyme by Krista Davis
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Infidelity, Violence, Murder, and Gaslighting
What the Hex by Jessica Clare
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
4/5
I actually liked the sequel better than book one! That's a rarity for me when it comes to romance series.
The enemies to lovers energy in this one was real and well done. The relationship development between Willem and Penny was handled well and the book did a great job balancing the plot with the spice. The stakes of their agreement felt real and the HEA feels earned and it was all around fun to read.
If Go Hex Yourself was not exactly what you wanted, I recommend giving What the Hex a shot because it's giving a lot of the same positives with far fewer faults.
I actually liked the sequel better than book one! That's a rarity for me when it comes to romance series.
The enemies to lovers energy in this one was real and well done. The relationship development between Willem and Penny was handled well and the book did a great job balancing the plot with the spice. The stakes of their agreement felt real and the HEA feels earned and it was all around fun to read.
If Go Hex Yourself was not exactly what you wanted, I recommend giving What the Hex a shot because it's giving a lot of the same positives with far fewer faults.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Confinement, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Blood, Abandonment, and Classism
The Magnus Archives: Season 5 by Jonathan Sims, Alexander J. Newall
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, and War
Moderate: Confinement, Gore, and Grief
Mistlefoe by Kimberly Lemming
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The perfect monster romance novella. It's got the humor, the spice, the strong independent woman, jealousy, and protectiveness. It's all that and a bag of chips talking sword. What more could you want?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Violence
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
5/5
Bestill my death-positivity-movement-loving romance-obsessed heart, The Dead Romantics is a ghost romance I can get behind!
Normally "he's dead, she's not, they're in love" is not my cup of tea (blame all the vampire stories that were in vogue during my teen years) but enough positive reviews and the promise of a HEA was enough to get me to try this one, and I am so glad that I did because I needed this book.
Between the subtle star wars fandom references and the sweet and saucy moments of this novel, I found the messages of self-love (particularly valuing yourself more than what you can offer to others) and forgiveness to be particularly impactful.
Ultimately I found The Dead Romantics to be a fun, reflective and positive read with just the right amount of spookiness!
Bestill my death-positivity-movement-loving romance-obsessed heart, The Dead Romantics is a ghost romance I can get behind!
Normally "he's dead, she's not, they're in love" is not my cup of tea (blame all the vampire stories that were in vogue during my teen years) but enough positive reviews and the promise of a HEA was enough to get me to try this one, and I am so glad that I did because I needed this book.
Between the subtle star wars fandom references and the sweet and saucy moments of this novel, I found the messages of self-love (particularly valuing yourself more than what you can offer to others) and forgiveness to be particularly impactful.
Ultimately I found The Dead Romantics to be a fun, reflective and positive read with just the right amount of spookiness!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Bullying, Child death, Death, and Abandonment
Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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? No
5.0
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillian Audio for this audiobook ARC of Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree in return for an honest review!
In Bookshops & Bonedust we meet young Viv, an orc merc with a love of bashing skulls, in what at first seems like the lowest moment of her career. Injured and feeling abandoned, Viv is healing from a stab wound in the sleepy seaside town of Murk while her associates in Rackam's Ravens are off trying to hunt down a dangerous necromancer. As luck would have it, Viv's uncanny ability to make friends puts her firmly in the middle of a cozy business restoration (readers of Legends and Lattes will find this familiar, but no less charming) as well as in the crosshairs of trouble.
The book brings all the cozy fantasy energy that Legends and Lattes was praised for, with a more adventurous and involved plot. The bookshop elements up the cozy and familiar factor for readers in the best possible way, and with the lovable characters that fill the shops walls, it's easy to cheer for the inevitable happily ever after.
Travis Baldree's ability to create a fantasy world that feels believable without getting lost in the weeds of unnecessary/ excessive world-building is commendable and makes it easy for any reader to enjoy the novel without feeling out of depth. Readers need not enter into the book with a vast knowledge of fantasy creatures and tropes, as while the inclusions are fun for those familiar, it is primarily set dressing for the warm story of interpersonal dynamics.
This is the perfect prequel to Legends and Lattes and can be read before or after the cozy coffeeshop fantasy. I highly recommend this read to anyone looking for a read that will make them feel warm and well cared for. This book, much like Legends and Lattes, is the literary equivalent of a blanket and cozy fireplace on a cold winters' night.
In Bookshops & Bonedust we meet young Viv, an orc merc with a love of bashing skulls, in what at first seems like the lowest moment of her career. Injured and feeling abandoned, Viv is healing from a stab wound in the sleepy seaside town of Murk while her associates in Rackam's Ravens are off trying to hunt down a dangerous necromancer. As luck would have it, Viv's uncanny ability to make friends puts her firmly in the middle of a cozy business restoration (readers of Legends and Lattes will find this familiar, but no less charming) as well as in the crosshairs of trouble.
The book brings all the cozy fantasy energy that Legends and Lattes was praised for, with a more adventurous and involved plot. The bookshop elements up the cozy and familiar factor for readers in the best possible way, and with the lovable characters that fill the shops walls, it's easy to cheer for the inevitable happily ever after.
Travis Baldree's ability to create a fantasy world that feels believable without getting lost in the weeds of unnecessary/ excessive world-building is commendable and makes it easy for any reader to enjoy the novel without feeling out of depth. Readers need not enter into the book with a vast knowledge of fantasy creatures and tropes, as while the inclusions are fun for those familiar, it is primarily set dressing for the warm story of interpersonal dynamics.
This is the perfect prequel to Legends and Lattes and can be read before or after the cozy coffeeshop fantasy. I highly recommend this read to anyone looking for a read that will make them feel warm and well cared for. This book, much like Legends and Lattes, is the literary equivalent of a blanket and cozy fireplace on a cold winters' night.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Animal death, Cursing, Death, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Unfamiliar by Haley Newsome
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Boyfriends, Volume One by refrainbow
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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? It's complicated
4.5
Thank you to Net Galley and WEBTOON Unscrolled for the ebook ARC of Boyfriends Volume One in return for my unbiased review.
Boyfriends is an excellent example of the way in which Webtoon is increasing the accessibility of diverse stories to the general reader population, both via their free app and by their new publications. This graphic novel has a very positive depiction of LGBTQ+ relationships in college, particularly the depiction of the boys' polycule, and does not shy away from the ups and downs of relationships and life of those in their early adulthood.
I loved the story and the art style, and found it to be a very fun and positive read. The art works well to create emotion on the page and is very enjoyable from a visual standpoint.
At times the story is rather childish, the stereotypical personalities of the characters can feel limiting, and the disjointed nature of the storytelling can lead you to ask if you've missed something. Overall, despite this it is a genuinely fun read.
I would recommend this one to an audience of 18-30 year old LGBTQ+ folks and allies. This would be great particularly for those who are looking for something relating to the struggles and joys of college life, as despite the characters and relationships being very different from my own college experience, it made me feel nostalgic!
Boyfriends is an excellent example of the way in which Webtoon is increasing the accessibility of diverse stories to the general reader population, both via their free app and by their new publications. This graphic novel has a very positive depiction of LGBTQ+ relationships in college, particularly the depiction of the boys' polycule, and does not shy away from the ups and downs of relationships and life of those in their early adulthood.
I loved the story and the art style, and found it to be a very fun and positive read. The art works well to create emotion on the page and is very enjoyable from a visual standpoint.
At times the story is rather childish, the stereotypical personalities of the characters can feel limiting, and the disjointed nature of the storytelling can lead you to ask if you've missed something. Overall, despite this it is a genuinely fun read.
I would recommend this one to an audience of 18-30 year old LGBTQ+ folks and allies. This would be great particularly for those who are looking for something relating to the struggles and joys of college life, as despite the characters and relationships being very different from my own college experience, it made me feel nostalgic!
Content Warnings
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Alcohol
The Magnus Archives: Season 4 by Jonathan Sims
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0