onespaceymother's reviews
869 reviews

The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill

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dark mysterious medium-paced

4.75

Only docking that quarter-point because the resolution is relatively outlandish, but I loved this thriller. I was about a half of the way through when I realized it was the same author as ‘the woman in the library,’ which I also adored.

Betty's (Little Basement) Garden by Laurel Dewey

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emotional informative

2.25

I almost didn’t finish this and admittedly sped-read through the last quarter. All the ingredients of a good story were there, but it just turned preachy and felt hastily written. To be clear, I support the medical and recreational use of cannabis, and even I got sick of the constant lectures on “the power of this plant.” The two main male characters that Betty forms relationships with speak to her like super aggressive therapists and then randomly in language coded to weird stereotypes about… Health food sellers? Hippies? Stoners? Their motivation to hound this woman’s boundaries so intensely is baffling. Her friends are awful stereotypes wrapped in nice bows. There was supposed to be some mystical part of this, but it fell flat to me. I don’t know. Bleh.
A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers

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emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced
The Night & Its Moon by Piper C.J.

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adventurous dark fast-paced

3.75

It was fun, but everything felt like it needed more development 
Monster of the Week by Michael Sands

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Fun system! Takes awhile to work out, but still easier than 5e 😂
The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

5.0

Read out loud to my 9 and 11 year olds. This is so witty and sophisticated while still perfect for elementary kids. We loved it!
Exalted by Anna Dorn

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challenging dark emotional sad
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This book had me judging and occasionally feeling judged. This book makes you feel bummed out but you still can’t put it down. It’s grimy, gritty, nasty, fascinating, darkly funny in moments, and bitingly earnest in others. Dawn and Emily are extremely unlikeable and don’t hold your breath for redemption. 
Sea Change by Gina Chung

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dark emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-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

4.5

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.5

This book scratches the fantasy romance itch! It’s pretty derivative of other series, but the dragon twist is fun. Probably could’ve done with a bit more editing, as the “will they won’t they” got a little eye rollingly annoying at times.