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onthesamepage's reviews
952 reviews
Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen
Did not finish book. Stopped at 48%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 48%.
I didn't stop reading this because there was anything bad about the book. It's just that I realized midway through that I've mostly outgrown YA—that doesn't mean I don't still enjoy YA books, but it's usually the ones that lean very dark/mature (almost new adult), or are by favourite authors.
I would still recommend this for YA readers, however. I loved all the different mythical and cultural elements. The setting felt rich and interesting, too, and it's definitely different from a lot of the YA fantasy books out there.
I would still recommend this for YA readers, however. I loved all the different mythical and cultural elements. The setting felt rich and interesting, too, and it's definitely different from a lot of the YA fantasy books out there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery
Ariadne by Jennifer Saint
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
I honestly didn't catch much of the audiobook—I started it during a flight, and found myself dozing off. But the parts I did catch didn't inspire much confidence that I would end up enjoying the book. This mostly had to do with the way Ariadne comes across as a character. One scene that stuck out to me was her conversation with Daedalus, where she was asking him for help to rescue Theseus. He said that people had died before and she didn't save them then, did she want to save them now just for one boy? And her answer was yes.
Sounds like a case of naïve instalove to me, so I've decided to put it down.
Sounds like a case of naïve instalove to me, so I've decided to put it down.
The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
3.5
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is one of those books that I'm happy I read, will absolutely recommend to people, but other than that, don't really have a lot to say about. It's a cozy, wholesome fantasy, with a cute romance, and plant companions that make for some really adorable friendships. It's about finding your place in the universe, and helping people and the world for the sake of kindness. There are merhorses, merbabies, cats with wings, and a lot of other fun elements. The nature descriptions are lovely, too.
A big part of the story is Kiela figuring out how to survive in her old home, and setting up a spellshop/jam shop, so you get parts that are just her figuring out recipes for both. It didn't quite hook me in the way Legends & Lattes did, but that may also just have been my mood. It does start off quite slow, but by the time I was halfway through, I was pretty into it.
The romance between Kiela and Larran is sweet, even though I initially thought there was a bit too much dislike for very little reason on Kiela's part. But that smoothed itself out as well.
This is one of those books that I'm happy I read, will absolutely recommend to people, but other than that, don't really have a lot to say about. It's a cozy, wholesome fantasy, with a cute romance, and plant companions that make for some really adorable friendships. It's about finding your place in the universe, and helping people and the world for the sake of kindness. There are merhorses, merbabies, cats with wings, and a lot of other fun elements. The nature descriptions are lovely, too.
A big part of the story is Kiela figuring out how to survive in her old home, and setting up a spellshop/jam shop, so you get parts that are just her figuring out recipes for both. It didn't quite hook me in the way Legends & Lattes did, but that may also just have been my mood. It does start off quite slow, but by the time I was halfway through, I was pretty into it.
The romance between Kiela and Larran is sweet, even though I initially thought there was a bit too much dislike for very little reason on Kiela's part. But that smoothed itself out as well.
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi (Novel) Vol. 1 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu
adventurous
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was me dipping my toes into danmei, and I think it was successful? I will say that it's necessary to keep the glossary nearby initially—all the characters have multiple names as well as titles, and there's not a lot of hand-holding in general, which makes sense.
The chapters are very long, and I personally think that drags down the pacing of the story, especially when one of the chapters is a very extended flashback. But the characters are fun to follow. Wei Wuxian is an absolute chaos gremlin, and his antics made me laugh. I can't wait to see how both the story and the romance develop.
The chapters are very long, and I personally think that drags down the pacing of the story, especially when one of the chapters is a very extended flashback. But the characters are fun to follow. Wei Wuxian is an absolute chaos gremlin, and his antics made me laugh. I can't wait to see how both the story and the romance develop.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Your Blood, My Bones by Kelly Andrew
I really enjoyed this book while I was reading it, but I held off on reviewing, and most of what I remember now is the vibes. It sits in that creepy, unsettling horror space that I tend to prefer, especially when you add a couple of messy relationships to the mix. Those form the core and driver of this story, creepy monster in the woods notwithstanding.
The writing was beautiful, even though it leaned purple a bit too often (not enough to be bothersome, but I did notice that it dragged a bit at the beginning, especially). There were just enough hints dropped that I was able to guess at some of the reveals, but definitely not all of them. I loved the ending in particular.
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Dully, she wondered if this was what heartbreak felt like—looking into the eyes of someone she’d spent her whole life memorizing and finding nothing recognizable left over in their depths.
I really enjoyed this book while I was reading it, but I held off on reviewing, and most of what I remember now is the vibes. It sits in that creepy, unsettling horror space that I tend to prefer, especially when you add a couple of messy relationships to the mix. Those form the core and driver of this story, creepy monster in the woods notwithstanding.
The writing was beautiful, even though it leaned purple a bit too often (not enough to be bothersome, but I did notice that it dragged a bit at the beginning, especially). There were just enough hints dropped that I was able to guess at some of the reveals, but definitely not all of them. I loved the ending in particular.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Murder
The Summer Palace and Other Stories by C.S. Pacat
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is the epilogue I needed after Kings Rising.
Of course the stories with Damen and Laurent are my favourite, but I really enjoyed the others as well for various reasons. The hijinks with Charls made me laugh. Summer Palace was completely swoon-worthy and also healing. I think I was least interested in the one with Aimeric because fuck him, but even then Pacat manages to intrigue me.
Of course the stories with Damen and Laurent are my favourite, but I really enjoyed the others as well for various reasons. The hijinks with Charls made me laugh. Summer Palace was completely swoon-worthy and also healing. I think I was least interested in the one with Aimeric because fuck him, but even then Pacat manages to intrigue me.
Kings Rising by C.S. Pacat
This gave me everything I wanted, although did Pacat need to end it there instead of giving us maybe 50 more pages at the end, for some quality time with Damen and Laurent?
There's a lot of tension, angst, and pining, but also a lot of reveals that made me feel so validated at all the hints I thought I'd been seeing in the first two books. I really appreciate Pacat's subtle hand here. The dynamic between Laurent and Damen continues to be amazing. There were scenes that had me gnawing on my fist—Damen is such a romantic, and Laurent is an absolute badass, and anyone who underestimates him deserves what they get. But I also love that we get to see a softer side to Laurent. He remains such a fascinating character.
I think I'll end up re-reading this series regularly. If you've been hesitant to pick it up, I highly recommend it! I regret waiting as long as I did. Pacat has quickly become a favourite author.
adventurous
emotional
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
5.0
‘How’s your shoulder?’ Damen said.
‘My shoulder and I,’ said Laurent, ‘are waiting to be shown a real fight.’
This gave me everything I wanted, although did Pacat need to end it there instead of giving us maybe 50 more pages at the end, for some quality time with Damen and Laurent?
There's a lot of tension, angst, and pining, but also a lot of reveals that made me feel so validated at all the hints I thought I'd been seeing in the first two books. I really appreciate Pacat's subtle hand here. The dynamic between Laurent and Damen continues to be amazing. There were scenes that had me gnawing on my fist—Damen is such a romantic, and Laurent is an absolute badass, and anyone who underestimates him deserves what they get. But I also love that we get to see a softer side to Laurent. He remains such a fascinating character.
I think I'll end up re-reading this series regularly. If you've been hesitant to pick it up, I highly recommend it! I regret waiting as long as I did. Pacat has quickly become a favourite author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture
Minor: Incest and Pedophilia
Heartstopper Volume 4 by Alice Oseman
emotional
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
I've now reached the part of the series that hasn't been adapted yet (well, mostly). This had some cute moments between Charlie and his family, but it's mostly an in-depth look at his struggle with mental illness. I loved seeing the way Nick is there for Charlie, and how much he cares about helping.
The bonus teacher comic was really cute as well.
The bonus teacher comic was really cute as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder and Self harm
Moderate: Homophobia
Heartstopper Volume 3 by Alice Oseman
lighthearted
sad
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
3.0
I can genuinely understand why people love this series so much, but I'm also realizing it's not really what I look for. It's a bit too on the nose with what it wants to say. I can't quite suspend my disbelief enough to buy into how the relationships are progressing.
I understand the focus on positivity, but the main characters all act like semi-perfect people who have never felt the bite of hormones. It's especially jarring in contrast to the adaptation, I think. Tao is a prime example. In the adaptation, he reacts in a pretty predictable way when he finds out that Charlie has been dating Nick, and everyone knows but him. He's sad, and he lashes out in anger, which, to me, is perfectly normal behavior for a teenage boy. In this volume, when he finds out, he's still sad, but he also tells Charlie it was probably the right choice. They both mope about it for a bit, make up, and everything is right as rain. It feels a little bit like forced positivity to me, if I'm being brutally honest.
I understand the focus on positivity, but the main characters all act like semi-perfect people who have never felt the bite of hormones. It's especially jarring in contrast to the adaptation, I think. Tao is a prime example. In the adaptation, he reacts in a pretty predictable way when he finds out that Charlie has been dating Nick, and everyone knows but him. He's sad, and he lashes out in anger, which, to me, is perfectly normal behavior for a teenage boy. In this volume, when he finds out, he's still sad, but he also tells Charlie it was probably the right choice. They both mope about it for a bit, make up, and everything is right as rain. It feels a little bit like forced positivity to me, if I'm being brutally honest.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Minor: Self harm
My Throat an Open Grave by Tori Bovalino
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
What's sticking with me the most about this book is probably the unrealized potential. The synopsis reminded me a lot of the movie Labyrinth. I was hoping for something that would really lean into the horror, but that isn't what this book is. I don't think it was served well by the first person POV, either—being in Leah's head the entire time was frustrating and exhausting, and I had days where I just couldn't motivate myself to pick up the book. Up until the 80% mark, there are constant allusions to Leah's badness, something in her past that has ruined her forever, and they're all extremely vague to the point of annoyance. Yes, I get it, she's terrible. And it's not even that this ended up being a twist I didn't see coming or anything like that.
There's a mystery surrounding why all these girls went into the forest and never came out, but it doesn't feel like it's driving the plot. Instead, we just sort of meander along with Leah, and spend a lot of time inside her head, which was filled with self-loathing. I'm sure I was meant to form some kind of attachment to Leah and Tristan, at least, and I was definitely expecting to based on the author's previous works, but I just never got the idea that I got to know Tristan. The characters just felt very flat to me, and I didn't buy into the romance, either.
I understand that this is meant to be a commentary on purity culture, and I do think that was handled well, but I think it could've done so much more. It's still an easy read, however, and I think teenagers will get more out of it than I did.
What's sticking with me the most about this book is probably the unrealized potential. The synopsis reminded me a lot of the movie Labyrinth. I was hoping for something that would really lean into the horror, but that isn't what this book is. I don't think it was served well by the first person POV, either—being in Leah's head the entire time was frustrating and exhausting, and I had days where I just couldn't motivate myself to pick up the book. Up until the 80% mark, there are constant allusions to Leah's badness, something in her past that has ruined her forever, and they're all extremely vague to the point of annoyance. Yes, I get it, she's terrible. And it's not even that this ended up being a twist I didn't see coming or anything like that.
There's a mystery surrounding why all these girls went into the forest and never came out, but it doesn't feel like it's driving the plot. Instead, we just sort of meander along with Leah, and spend a lot of time inside her head, which was filled with self-loathing. I'm sure I was meant to form some kind of attachment to Leah and Tristan, at least, and I was definitely expecting to based on the author's previous works, but I just never got the idea that I got to know Tristan. The characters just felt very flat to me, and I didn't buy into the romance, either.
I understand that this is meant to be a commentary on purity culture, and I do think that was handled well, but I think it could've done so much more. It's still an easy read, however, and I think teenagers will get more out of it than I did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Gore
Minor: Animal death and Suicide