pikamonster's reviews
148 reviews

Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

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

3.0

Pretty but kinda boring. I was expecting more.
Walk the Vanished Earth by Erin Swan

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

1.0

This book was a confusing mess. The author is weirdly hung up on race and gender while simultaneously trying to be "woke". The time skips are all over the place and they don't connect or explain as much as they should (in fact they just raise more questions) I almost DNF'd this book multiple times but I was really trying to give it a shot
What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher

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dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

I really enjoyed this story. However I wish it was a little bit longer. 
Written in Starlight by Isabel Ibañez

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dark fast-paced

3.0

Man Catalina is annoying. I didn't like her in the first book and I definitely didn't like her in this one. It was a decent read and a good sequel though. 
Woven in Moonlight by Isabel Ibañez

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dark reflective fast-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

3.0

The Patient by Jasper DeWitt

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

4.0

A really good quick read. It holds your attention until the end. I just wish the author had kept the ambiguity. 
Mongrels by Stephen Graham Jones

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dark slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

Long Live the Pumpkin Queen by Shea Ernshaw

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

2.0

As someone who's first favorite movie was TNBC this book felt like just another mediocre fanfic instead of a continuation of the movie. It was cringey and lazily written. The writing itself felt like a teenager trying to reach word count. The way Sally was infantilized made me feel more like she was a 12 year old and not an established woman. The bit with Queen Elizabeth felt out of place and weird. The "twist" was beyond cliche. I only finished the book because I was hoping it would get better and I felt like I owed it to my original favorite. 
Entering Hekate's Garden: The Magick, Medicine & Mystery of Plant Spirit Witchcraft by Cyndi Brannen

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informative medium-paced

2.0

The overall plant information is pretty useful it would be even better if they included pictures of the plants even if it were just black and white sketches. However the overall tone of the book felt like the author is the exact kind of practitioner I tend to avoid. A decent read but not worthy of having on my shelf. 
Jobs for Girls with Artistic Flair by June Gervais

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hopeful reflective fast-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

Beautifully written, Gina was such a well written character. Her relationship with Anna was well done. The book felt almost relatable for how niche of a situation it all is. I'm sad this is June Gervais's debut novel because I'm highly invested in her writing now.