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obscurepages's reviews
374 reviews
Sugar and Spite by Gail D. Villanueva
death of an animal/pet
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
So guess who was crying while she was reading the last few chapters of this book?! I'm not saying it's me but... it's me lol.
This was so, so good I swear! Here's what I liked about A Sugar and Spite:
✔ has wholesome Filipino rep
✔ highlighted Filipino culture all throughout the book! AAAHHHHH
✔ has good character development
✔ was funny but also poignant
✔ has good friendship and family themes
✔ it touched on several issues such as bullying, being an outcast, colorism, being poor in a society like ours, even having queer parents, etc
✔ has magic mixed with modern day life
✔ has LOVABLE PETS
I read this book within 24 hours and I swear it left me all soft and gooey inside. I know kids, especially Filipino/Filipino diaspora, (and maybe even teens and adults!) will find comfort and love in this book. I am so thankful to have read this.
Author interview and/or full review will be posted soon as part of A Sugar and Spite Blog Tour hosted by TBR and Beyond Tours.
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This was so, so good I swear! Here's what I liked about A Sugar and Spite:
✔ has wholesome Filipino rep
✔ highlighted Filipino culture all throughout the book! AAAHHHHH
✔ has good character development
✔ was funny but also poignant
✔ has good friendship and family themes
✔ it touched on several issues such as bullying, being an outcast, colorism, being poor in a society like ours, even having queer parents, etc
✔ has magic mixed with modern day life
✔ has LOVABLE PETS
I read this book within 24 hours and I swear it left me all soft and gooey inside. I know kids, especially Filipino/Filipino diaspora, (and maybe even teens and adults!) will find comfort and love in this book. I am so thankful to have read this.
Author interview and/or full review will be posted soon as part of A Sugar and Spite Blog Tour hosted by TBR and Beyond Tours.
Find me elsewhere: Instagram | Twitter | Blog
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Racism
First, Become Ashes by K.M. Szpara
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-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
Diving into this book, reading the content warnings, I knew I had to be prepared. I was excited for it because the synopsis sounds so interesting, but of course, I was also very hesitant. Now I've finished it! And it's sooooooo... I don't even have the word for it right now. 😂 See, it's unique but also very unnerving--unique because it blended magic and the supernatural with society, unnerving because this book featured sadomasochism and sexual/mental abuse so graphically and tried to show that the process of healing is not an easy one. It's brutal and raw, and some scenes made my skin crawl, but damn if this didn't take me on its own kind of journey.
I think that's all I can say for now. Full review will be posted soon as part of a tour hosted by Pride Book Tours! Hopefully, I'll have gathered my thoughts by then!
TW: sadomasochism, rape, sexual assault and abuse, torture, psychological abuse, manipulation, violence
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I think that's all I can say for now. Full review will be posted soon as part of a tour hosted by Pride Book Tours! Hopefully, I'll have gathered my thoughts by then!
TW: sadomasochism, rape, sexual assault and abuse, torture, psychological abuse, manipulation, violence
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Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, and Violence
Never Have I Ever by Isabel Yap
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
I have so many thoughts about this book??? This was lyrical, haunting, and so so creative! Also, as a Filipino, I love that some of these stories are the stories I grew up hearing, but now with unique modern twists. Simply incredible.
There were a few lines/comments that didn't sit right with me, but overall, reading this was a breathtaking journey.
Full review will be posted soon as part of the Never Have I Ever Bookstagram Tour hosted by Pride Book Tours!
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There were a few lines/comments that didn't sit right with me, but overall, reading this was a breathtaking journey.
Full review will be posted soon as part of the Never Have I Ever Bookstagram Tour hosted by Pride Book Tours!
Find me elsewhere: Instagram | Twitter | Blog
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore and Blood
Minor: Deadnaming, Eating disorder, Homophobia, and Sexual assault
The Hazards of Love Book 1: Bright World by Stan Stanley
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
This was both creepy and exciting, I couldn't help but adore it!
First and foremost, what I loved about this book is how creepy and atmospheric it was! I love the concept of Bright World and how this strange and dangerous place is no place for humans.
The characters, especially the MC Amparo, was riveting to read as well. They're not the most flawless main character out there, if anything they have so much flaws and make so many mistakes. But the journey they take on throughout the story was fascinating and I loved seeing them change because of it. Despite this, I still wanted to know more about them, particularly their back story and/or their family. I just feel like that department lacked a bit.
However, I also have to say that I loved how the plot twists manifest in this book! They come slowly and subtly, and the next thing you know it's right in front of you. Several times in the book I was surprised with the little plot twists the author set up throughout the story. I absolutely enjoyed that.
Overall, this queer graphic novel seems so promising and I can't wait for the second volume! 👏
A big thank you to Oni Press for sending me an e-arc, in exchange for an honest review!
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First and foremost, what I loved about this book is how creepy and atmospheric it was! I love the concept of Bright World and how this strange and dangerous place is no place for humans.
The characters, especially the MC Amparo, was riveting to read as well. They're not the most flawless main character out there, if anything they have so much flaws and make so many mistakes. But the journey they take on throughout the story was fascinating and I loved seeing them change because of it. Despite this, I still wanted to know more about them, particularly their back story and/or their family. I just feel like that department lacked a bit.
However, I also have to say that I loved how the plot twists manifest in this book! They come slowly and subtly, and the next thing you know it's right in front of you. Several times in the book I was surprised with the little plot twists the author set up throughout the story. I absolutely enjoyed that.
Overall, this queer graphic novel seems so promising and I can't wait for the second volume! 👏
A big thank you to Oni Press for sending me an e-arc, in exchange for an honest review!
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Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore and Violence
Minor: Torture
Down Comes the Night by Allison Saft
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Hellooooo, this was so good??
This was atmospheric, romantic, and the prose was just lovely. I loved the writing style of the author and how the story unfolded in Wren's perspective. The plot was unique and thrilling, and as a reader, it never ran out of surprises for me. The characters get you hooked as well! We have a disaster bi MC, an emotionally constipated bestfriend, and a dark and brooding love interest. I was invested in these characters,
Apart from that, I was invested in the romance as well. There was a lot of tension and pining between Wren and Hal, and I loved their chemistry. (Also, enemies-to-lovers, plus "there's only one bed" trope?? I loved it!)
The world-building and the magic system were also great! I loved how science and magic blended together, I loved knowing about Wren's healing powers and how they worked. There was a lot of history between the three countries, too, which really helped pain the overall picture/situation for the plot.
I think my only complaint is that I wanted to see more action in the end, (and more pining? Because I love pain, I guess). I also wanted more characterization for Hal and, maybe Una too, since we see only little of her. But honestly, overall, this was so good!
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This was atmospheric, romantic, and the prose was just lovely. I loved the writing style of the author and how the story unfolded in Wren's perspective. The plot was unique and thrilling, and as a reader, it never ran out of surprises for me. The characters get you hooked as well! We have a disaster bi MC, an emotionally constipated bestfriend, and a dark and brooding love interest. I was invested in these characters,
Apart from that, I was invested in the romance as well. There was a lot of tension and pining between Wren and Hal, and I loved their chemistry. (Also, enemies-to-lovers, plus "there's only one bed" trope?? I loved it!)
The world-building and the magic system were also great! I loved how science and magic blended together, I loved knowing about Wren's healing powers and how they worked. There was a lot of history between the three countries, too, which really helped pain the overall picture/situation for the plot.
I think my only complaint is that I wanted to see more action in the end, (and more pining? Because I love pain, I guess). I also wanted more characterization for Hal and, maybe Una too, since we see only little of her. But honestly, overall, this was so good!
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Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Blood
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Sexual content
Binti by Nnedi Okorafor
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Okay I need the next two books in this trilogy!
Binti was such a nice surprise. I read this book without knowing anything much about it and was pleasantly surprised with what I read. From the writing, to the characters, to the world-building, they were all so wonderful. I definitely need to know more about their fictional world though, I'm so curious about it—imagine it, humans and aliens interacting and co-existing with each other.
I loved the subtle suspense and thrill of the story, and I also loved how Binti's culture and customs were highlighted in the story. I hope I see more of it in the next books.
Exact rating: 4.5 stars!
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Binti was such a nice surprise. I read this book without knowing anything much about it and was pleasantly surprised with what I read. From the writing, to the characters, to the world-building, they were all so wonderful. I definitely need to know more about their fictional world though, I'm so curious about it—imagine it, humans and aliens interacting and co-existing with each other.
I loved the subtle suspense and thrill of the story, and I also loved how Binti's culture and customs were highlighted in the story. I hope I see more of it in the next books.
Exact rating: 4.5 stars!
Find me elsewhere: Instagram | Twitter | Blog
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Violence
Minor: Racism
Follow Your Arrow by Jessica Verdi
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
I came here for bi rep, and damn, I got it.
This was so good???? I literally couldn't stop reading once I started! It was funny, it was romantic, it was relatable, and best of all it tackled several issues prevalent in the real world. This book discussed biphobia, the good and bad parts of social media/having an online presence, political activism, messy families, first relationships/heartbreaks, and more!
I wanted more answers or closure from some parts of the plot, but they were left unanswered in the end so that's a bit of a setback. Still, this was such a solid read and I definitely enjoyed it a lot.
Creative blog will be posted soon as part of Follow Your Arrow: Book Tour hosted by TBR and Beyond Tours.
Find me elsewhere: Instagram | Twitter | Blog
This was so good???? I literally couldn't stop reading once I started! It was funny, it was romantic, it was relatable, and best of all it tackled several issues prevalent in the real world. This book discussed biphobia, the good and bad parts of social media/having an online presence, political activism, messy families, first relationships/heartbreaks, and more!
I wanted more answers or closure from some parts of the plot, but they were left unanswered in the end so that's a bit of a setback. Still, this was such a solid read and I definitely enjoyed it a lot.
Creative blog will be posted soon as part of Follow Your Arrow: Book Tour hosted by TBR and Beyond Tours.
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Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia
Moderate: Bullying
internalized biphobia, invasion of privacy (photos being taken without permission), cyberbullying (hate/biphobic comments on social media)
The Unbroken by C.L. Clark
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
THIS BOOK MAKES ME WANT TO SCREAM INTO THE VOID.
This was so so good? I can't even begin to explain how. It was tense, it was brutal, and it unabashedly explored the different sides of love, loyalty, and imperialism/colonization. This was a whole damn journey and it was magnificent.
Full review will be posted soon on The Nerd Daily!
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This was so so good? I can't even begin to explain how. It was tense, it was brutal, and it unabashedly explored the different sides of love, loyalty, and imperialism/colonization. This was a whole damn journey and it was magnificent.
Full review will be posted soon on The Nerd Daily!
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Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Violence
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
Colonization/imperialism
Kingston and the Magician's Lost and Found by Rucker Moses, Theo Gangi
adventurous
emotional
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
This middle grade fantasy/mystery novel is full of magic and full of heart!
This was so fun to read. It's light and mysterious, but it was also very heartfelt especially since family was a big theme in the book. It was also filled with adventure (although I really wanted to see more thrill.) and plot twists! (I have to hand it to the authors, there were a couple of twists I didn't see!) Best of all was the magic/history of magic! When I was younger, I had a phase when I was so into magic and magicians! So seeing all the history of magic, especially of Black magicians incorporated into the story was really wonderful.
Overall, this was a great read and I'm sure both kids and adults will love this book! Full review on my blog soon!
Thank you so much MBC Books for sending me an ARC! This, of course, did not affect my overall opinion of the book.
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This was so fun to read. It's light and mysterious, but it was also very heartfelt especially since family was a big theme in the book. It was also filled with adventure (although I really wanted to see more thrill.) and plot twists! (I have to hand it to the authors, there were a couple of twists I didn't see!) Best of all was the magic/history of magic! When I was younger, I had a phase when I was so into magic and magicians! So seeing all the history of magic, especially of Black magicians incorporated into the story was really wonderful.
Overall, this was a great read and I'm sure both kids and adults will love this book! Full review on my blog soon!
Thank you so much MBC Books for sending me an ARC! This, of course, did not affect my overall opinion of the book.
Find me elsewhere: Instagram | Twitter | Blog
Fat Chance, Charlie Vega by Crystal Maldonado
emotional
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
3.5
I just finished this book five minutes ago, and though I have conflicting feelings about it, it left me with a smile on my face.
Fat Chance, Charlie Vega caught my attention a few months ago because of the fat rep! (And hello, look at that cover, it's gorgeous.) I'm so glad to have finally read it!
The thing is, yes, I loved the fat rep and the body positive message. Seriously, it was glorious. It was so lovely to see a brown, fat girl grow confident and comfortable with her body. At the same time, the plot... frustrated me a little bit. The sort-of miscommunication, the fallout with your best friend, the pettiness, it was all so frustrating for me. Several times in the book I wanted to shake Charlie and make her see reason. It's a good thing that the ending pulled through somehow, and Charlie achieved the last part of her character development, whew! I do wish Charlie's thing with her mom was more resolved though, I thought it was a bit lacking.
Still, this was a solid read! Those who are looking for romance, self-confidence, and a great body positive message will love this!
Exact rating: 3.5 stars! Full review on my blog soon!
E-arc from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This, of course, did not affect my overall opinion of the book.
Find me elsewhere: Instagram | Twitter | Blog
Fat Chance, Charlie Vega caught my attention a few months ago because of the fat rep! (And hello, look at that cover, it's gorgeous.) I'm so glad to have finally read it!
The thing is, yes, I loved the fat rep and the body positive message. Seriously, it was glorious. It was so lovely to see a brown, fat girl grow confident and comfortable with her body. At the same time, the plot... frustrated me a little bit. The sort-of miscommunication, the fallout with your best friend, the pettiness, it was all so frustrating for me. Several times in the book I wanted to shake Charlie and make her see reason. It's a good thing that the ending pulled through somehow, and Charlie achieved the last part of her character development, whew! I do wish Charlie's thing with her mom was more resolved though, I thought it was a bit lacking.
Still, this was a solid read! Those who are looking for romance, self-confidence, and a great body positive message will love this!
Exact rating: 3.5 stars! Full review on my blog soon!
E-arc from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This, of course, did not affect my overall opinion of the book.
Find me elsewhere: Instagram | Twitter | Blog
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
Minor: Death of parent