leannj's reviews
2133 reviews

Tread of Angels by Rebecca Roanhorse

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dark mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This wasn't bad by any means, but it was my least favorite story that I've read from this author so far. This novella explores some interesting themes, but I never felt invested in the characters to feel impacted by what they were going through.
Teach the Torches to Burn: A Romeo & Juliet Remix by Caleb Roehrig

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emotional hopeful reflective tense fast-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

4.25

So far, the YA Remixed Classics series have been hit-or-miss for me; some of the books I've really enjoyed while others were just okay. Luckily, Teach the Torches to Burn was a hit- I thought it did a really good job of subverting expectations while still keeping true to the themes of the original play. The writing also felt authentic to the play without coming off as too try-hard.
Read Herring Hunt by V.M. Burns

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

4.0

So far, this has been the only cozy mystery series that I've truly enjoyed out of the one I tried out, and thankfully this installment was just as likable as the first.
Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

4.25

I thought Legends and Lattes was fun but not super memorable, so I went into the prequel with mostly neutral expectations. To my surprise I ended up liking this one even more; I thought the writing and plot were both much stronger this time around, and the bittersweet ending made it even a bit emotional.
Heroes of the Water Monster by Brian Young

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful reflective sad 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

A very strong sequel with a bittersweet and emotional ending 
Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.
Rook by William Ritter

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.
Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 47%.
A Hero at the End of the World by Erin Claiborne, Jade Liebes

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adventurous lighthearted medium-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

2.5

I think this would have worked better as a novella. By the time we got to the second half it started to drag and the character development felt rushed.
Best of the Wrong Reasons by Sander Santiago

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emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-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

3.0

Overall this was a fine read but I do feel like the second half was a little rushed.