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3507 reviews
The Book of Love by Kelly Link
Did not finish book. Stopped at 28%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 28%.
DNF @ 28%
Really not for me with its slow pace, lack of direction so far, and too many perspectives.
Really not for me with its slow pace, lack of direction so far, and too many perspectives.
Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
One of the most confusing books I've ever read! But it was a confusion that made some sense, in a way. Ann Leckie's writing and plot development here was incredible. The world-building was so complex and the non-linear narrative only added to that. There were so many questions and comments on personhood and citizenship and civilization and colonialism.
I had trouble knowing when I was and who I was with and what was going on at first. That meant that, when I started to connect certain dots and subplots together, I was beyond hooked. I loved the journey this book took me on and all it made me question about this universe. The twists and turns were all excellently written, and I know I'll be thinking about them for quite some time!
I had trouble knowing when I was and who I was with and what was going on at first. That meant that, when I started to connect certain dots and subplots together, I was beyond hooked. I loved the journey this book took me on and all it made me question about this universe. The twists and turns were all excellently written, and I know I'll be thinking about them for quite some time!
A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.25
The beginning here was wonderful! Hafsah Faizal's writing is always great to read and I very much loved how the characters were introduced and the world-building set up in the first few chapters. The details surrounding Spindrift and how vampires existed in this universe captured my attention right away with how intriguing they were.
The different perspectives, mostly Arthie and Jin's POVs, were also very well written and explored. Their friendship was lovely to read about, even as it was challenged a bit throughout the book. I could not have cared less about Flick as a character. Mateo was interesting, though! I wish we had a little more of him around.
The plot was a little messy in several ways. The pace was slow in the first act and it took about half of the book for things to start really developing. That made me feel like the second half was too rushed, especially in regard to some of the twists and decisions made by the characters. They didn't have the impact they were supposed to have and there wasn't enough build up for a few character choices to make much sense.
I am still curious about how the series is going to develop, however, since some pretty cool things were touched on here that still need answers. I could do without the romantic elements... so the focus would be more on the plot/character development side of things.
The different perspectives, mostly Arthie and Jin's POVs, were also very well written and explored. Their friendship was lovely to read about, even as it was challenged a bit throughout the book. I could not have cared less about Flick as a character. Mateo was interesting, though! I wish we had a little more of him around.
The plot was a little messy in several ways. The pace was slow in the first act and it took about half of the book for things to start really developing. That made me feel like the second half was too rushed, especially in regard to some of the twists and decisions made by the characters. They didn't have the impact they were supposed to have and there wasn't enough build up for a few character choices to make much sense.
I am still curious about how the series is going to develop, however, since some pretty cool things were touched on here that still need answers. I could do without the romantic elements... so the focus would be more on the plot/character development side of things.
The Woods All Black by Lee Mandelo
dark
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Lee Mandelo wrote this book for meeee :D
I seriously cannot begin to tell you how up my alley this book was. The late 1920s setting in Kentucky with all the period-typical awfulness that existed (and still exists!) was the perfect background for Leslie's character and his journey throughout the book. I very much enjoyed all the gender fuckery that happened here with the queer rep and all the different ways people can present and be themselves.
The religious bigotry plot made me so damn angry! as usual with things like that. There were some uncomfortable and outright horrible scenes to read through in regard to that. They added so much tension to an already pretty tense book and Mandelo challenged that perfectly within the plot.
Leslie and Stevie's everything hit me right in the gut! Their interactions were my absolute favorite parts of the story, even more so as things progressed and escalated with each passing chapter. Every twist surrounding them was incredibly satisfying to me as a reader and I loooooooved that Mandelo Went There with the weird stuff. This was honestly such an amazing read <3
I seriously cannot begin to tell you how up my alley this book was. The late 1920s setting in Kentucky with all the period-typical awfulness that existed (and still exists!) was the perfect background for Leslie's character and his journey throughout the book. I very much enjoyed all the gender fuckery that happened here with the queer rep and all the different ways people can present and be themselves.
The religious bigotry plot made me so damn angry! as usual with things like that. There were some uncomfortable and outright horrible scenes to read through in regard to that. They added so much tension to an already pretty tense book and Mandelo challenged that perfectly within the plot.
Leslie and Stevie's everything hit me right in the gut! Their interactions were my absolute favorite parts of the story, even more so as things progressed and escalated with each passing chapter. Every twist surrounding them was incredibly satisfying to me as a reader and I loooooooved that Mandelo Went There with the weird stuff. This was honestly such an amazing read <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Transphobia, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Rape
Accountable: The True Story of a Racist Social Media Account and the Teenagers Whose Lives It Changed by Dashka Slater
dark
informative
4.0
Lots to think about.
The Boy Who Cried Bear by Kelley Armstrong
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.25
It's so good to be back to this world, even with the heavy subject matters this book tackles.
Another great addition to the Casey world! I admit I was very confused at the beginning with the introduction(?) of some new characters. I either forgot all about them from the previous book or this was a very abrupt way to start a new novel. Even so! I was once again hooked as soon as the mystery and investigation were established and refused to put the book down.
I also very much loved the steady progression of Casey and Dalton's relationship. Armstrong took that to another step here and I am so damn curious about how that's going to affect the rest of the series! I honestly can't wait.
Another great addition to the Casey world! I admit I was very confused at the beginning with the introduction(?) of some new characters. I either forgot all about them from the previous book or this was a very abrupt way to start a new novel. Even so! I was once again hooked as soon as the mystery and investigation were established and refused to put the book down.
I also very much loved the steady progression of Casey and Dalton's relationship. Armstrong took that to another step here and I am so damn curious about how that's going to affect the rest of the series! I honestly can't wait.
Content Warnings
Minor: Pedophilia
The Reformatory by Tananarive Due
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
I have no words for this book.
The writing took me a little getting used to at first, but the way Tananarive Due crafted this story and its main narrators was incredible. I felt every chapter like a punch and kept waiting to see what would happen with Robert and Gloria. The way all of the paranormal/horror elements worked throughout the story was also wonderfully done and added so much tension to the book. The ending was perfect, no notes.
The writing took me a little getting used to at first, but the way Tananarive Due crafted this story and its main narrators was incredible. I felt every chapter like a punch and kept waiting to see what would happen with Robert and Gloria. The way all of the paranormal/horror elements worked throughout the story was also wonderfully done and added so much tension to the book. The ending was perfect, no notes.
The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Another wonderful work from Katherine Arden! This is going to sound pretty weird considering this books is set during the Great War, but the first few chapters had such a cozy sense to me. I very much enjoyed the writing and the way Arden set up the story and Laura's character. It was so easy to get drawn into her perspective.
The book was told in dual POV and I wasn't that big a fan of Freddie's chapters. The way Arden used them to help establish the paranormal elements here only half worked for me. It was heartbreaking to experience the War through his eyes, however, and his struggle to come to terms with it was handled in a sensitive manner.
I didn't really like the figure of the fiddler and Pim's character arc. Those were my only complaints about the book.
The surprise queer characters was lovely, though! It was written in such an organic manner and the way Arden built up that relationship was equal parts sad and so very very sweet. The romance here, in general, was extremely well done in the sense that it felt like a regular part of the story and didn't take away from the horrors of war and/or the plot.
The book was told in dual POV and I wasn't that big a fan of Freddie's chapters. The way Arden used them to help establish the paranormal elements here only half worked for me. It was heartbreaking to experience the War through his eyes, however, and his struggle to come to terms with it was handled in a sensitive manner.
I didn't really like the figure of the fiddler and Pim's character arc. Those were my only complaints about the book.
The surprise queer characters was lovely, though! It was written in such an organic manner and the way Arden built up that relationship was equal parts sad and so very very sweet. The romance here, in general, was extremely well done in the sense that it felt like a regular part of the story and didn't take away from the horrors of war and/or the plot.
So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole
adventurous
fast-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
3.25
Mostly an engaging and intriguing read! I so very much enjoyed that Kamilah Cole set this post-Chosen One Character Saving Their People. It was such an interesting choice that worked pretty well with establishing the world-building and all of the characters, especially Faron and Elara. The pace was also pretty fast and steady throughout the entire book.
The plot was a bit too predictable for me, however, once the main conflict reared its head. It was very easy to guess why some situations happened and their aftermath didn't really impact me much. The book also ended on somewhat of a cliffhanger, which didn't help all that much.
The plot was a bit too predictable for me, however, once the main conflict reared its head. It was very easy to guess why some situations happened and their aftermath didn't really impact me much. The book also ended on somewhat of a cliffhanger, which didn't help all that much.
Familia by Lauren E. Rico
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This one is right in the middle for me. I very much enjoyed the writing and the way Lauren E. Rico wrote Isabella and Gabby's perspectives; it was engaging and very easy to get sucked into the story. However, the execution didn't so much work for me.
The investigation bits regarding the main conflict were interesting, but the answers to some questions didn't quite hit the mark. There were too many easy explanations for situations that were extremely complicated and Isabella and Gabby's reactions to some of them were incomprehensible to me. I expected more from the book in that sense.
The investigation bits regarding the main conflict were interesting, but the answers to some questions didn't quite hit the mark. There were too many easy explanations for situations that were extremely complicated and Isabella and Gabby's reactions to some of them were incomprehensible to me. I expected more from the book in that sense.