indieandajean's reviews
408 reviews

My Roommate Is a Vampire by Jenna Levine

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funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

This book is ridiculous, like fanfiction ridiculous, and that is what makes it perfect. 
A centuries old vampire wakes up in the 21st century and needs a roommate to help him learn how to blend in. A simple concept that makes for a great romantic comedy because of course he's hot and clueless and of course his roommate is compassionate and in serious need of someone who believes in her without reservations.
The tropes are excellent (and they were roommates) and the book is a quick, funny, and overall positive read. The conflict really doesn't ever hold much weight which is both nice and a little frustrating if you like a side of hurt/comfort in your romance, but overall it's forgivable because at the end of the day this is a light comedic read and it doesn't really need to be more than that. 

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The Magnus Archives: Season 3 by Jonathan Sims, Alexander J. Newall

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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

The Magnus Archives: Season 2 by Jonathan Sims, Alexander J. Newall

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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Adventure Time Vol. 14, Volume 14 by Mariko Tamaki

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adventurous funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

The Princess in Black, Books 1-3: The Princess in Black; The Princess in Black and the Perfect Princess Party; The Princess in Black and the Hungry Bu by Shannon Hale, Dean Hale

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

These books are adorable, I've been trying to read more early chapters so I can make better recommendations for my young patrons. I will 100% be recommending this series to kids that are superhero or princess fans as it offers plenty of the action and tropes of both in a very cute package.
Goblin Mode: How to Get Cozy, Embrace Imperfection, and Thrive in the Muck by McKayla Coyle

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hopeful informative inspiring reflective relaxing medium-paced

4.0

I feel incredibly seen by this book. My fiance often refers to my more feral moments as "goblin hours" and the more I read in this book the more apt I realized that descriptor was. 

In all honesty, there wasn't a lot in this book that was new to me per say. I think that most goblins and goblins adjacent folk will find the main points of this book to be familiar and nothing new, but that is rather affirming in a way. I particularly found joy in the craft and activity instructions that went along with these broader topics. It just goes to show that there's always something new to try. 

This book is pro-library and anti-capitalist and really need I say more? At the end of the day, this book was a blast to read and it made me feel like I was part of the goblin club.
Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell

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funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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

5.0

Normally contemporary YA isn't my jam, but Pumpkinheads made me smile and feel some serious nostalgia for my late teen years. I enjoyed the wild goose chase style plot and I felt that it really made the one night timeline feel complete. Josie and Deja are brilliant, relatable and like-able characters that I was cheering for throughout the story. The ending feels earned and deeply satisfying. 

The plot is fun, the art is gorgeous, and it makes for a great quick and cozy read. Highly recommend this one if you're looking for a quick, funny, and joyfilled fall themed read. 
Twistwood Tales by A.C. Macdonald

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adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I very much enjoyed this cozy, adventurous, and vaguely spooky collection of comics. 

There is just so much to love in this collection. The vibes of the art style and the quirkiness of the characters and stories reminded me very much of Over The Garden Wall, which is one of my absolute favorite pieces of media. I would highly recommend Twistwood Tales to someone who is looking for cozy autumnal vibes in their next read.

I also have to add that the content of the stories felt very relatable and spoke to me as
a 20 something people pleaser very strongly. The moral of so many of these small tales comes out to be that you should treat yourself with more kindness and view your worth as more than what you can give to others, which are important for everyone to realize. Lately, I feel that every book I pick up lately includes this message to some extent, which means that either the universe or my subconscious is trying to tell me something. If this book resonates with you, welcome to the club of spooky gals that need to learn how to say no and take more moments of rest. You are in good company and have excellent taste in comics.



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Sheets by Brenna Thummler

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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? It's complicated

3.5

Sheets is a beautifully crafted and deeply reflective graphic novel about death and mourning for a juvenile/ YA audience. There were moments while reading where I teared up from the raw expressiveness of the art, and overall I found the emotional experience very impactful. 

The plot itself is good, showing the weight upon the shoulders of a child who has had to take on the role of a parent after the death of her mother. The juxtaposition of this with the story of a child who has died and is looking for belonging from the beyond is well done, but the real heavy hitter here is the visual element. The art is stunning, I cannot fully explain how perfectly it conveys the emotion and carries the plot forward. 

The plot does drag at times, and until the context of the ghosts arrives in the plot, the story is a bit confusing. Overall, however it is an enjoyable read, and I would recommend it to those who are working through loss themselves, and to those looking for a teaching tool for their children (10+) to talk about grief, death, and dying. 



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The Magnus Archives: Season 1 by Jonathan Sims, Alexander J. Newall

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adventurous dark mysterious tense slow-paced

For non-book records, review text and ratings are hidden. Only mood, pace, and content warnings are visible.


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