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thoughtsontomes's reviews
778 reviews
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a delightful classic to read on Christmas. Though most people know the story from adaptations, it was cool to see what the original story is like.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Death
The Night Masquerade by Nnedi Okorafor
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
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? Yes
4.0
This was a strong conclusion to this series and my favorite of the trilogy. Thematically, it wrapped up very well and I enjoyed the themes explored of identity and family. This was a great experience on audiobook as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Xenophobia, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Moderate: Death
Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn
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
3.75
I’m not sure if this will be my final rating but I didn’t love this as much as book 1. The pacing felt a little off with it being slower and drawn out in moments and rushed in others. I enjoyed the expansion of the world and Bree’s exploration of root magic as well as ancestor work but not sure I love where it’s going by the end. I also found some of her behavior to be a bit inconsistent and frustrating. Bree also almost dies a lot and it’s followed by a few days of her being blacked out and then on to the next, which feels like the stakes aren’t as high. I do appreciate the handling of the love triangle and how it is not the main focus. I’m still looking forward to the finale of this series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, and Self harm
Moderate: Slavery
Possession
The Kingdom of Gods by N.K. Jemisin
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
3.0
I really enjoy what the series does world-building wise with the gods and their natures but really feel this would be better without all the romances. Particularly in this installment it is very uncomfortable because the god is a child god but also one of the oldest gods and lines get blurred in uncomfortable ways. But the way this wrapped up felt very full circle and like a myth in ways. I'd still recommend reading if you want to read all of Jemisin's backlog but her other series are far better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Sexual content, and Suicide
Moderate: Pedophilia
Minor: Sexual violence
The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri
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
4.25
This is a solid start to a new fantasy series. The beginning is a bit info-dumpy and there are parts of the story that are a bit slow, but I love our characters and this intrigue of the world. This has forest magic that corrupts people which is a trope I love plus a variety of different own world gods and religions. Plus a sapphic romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Emotional abuse, Torture, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Misogyny
A Winter's Promise by Christelle Dabos
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was just fine. The world building is cool but I’m not particularly drawn to the characters or romance. The narrator of the audiobook did a great job. I’m not interested enough to continue probably but if I do I’ll continue with the audio.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Torture
Moderate: Suicide
Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Hazelwood's books are a tad predictable, but I truly don't mind. As long as I don't read them back to back, I find them charming. There were so many beats that I could see coming from a mile away but I wanted to see exactly how the reveals would happen. Plus I like two intellectually smart people being dumb as well as smart man being so in love with woman that she thinks he hates her because he's so awkward. The endings of her books are always a bit off tonally though, as she pulls in some "villain" arcs that feel way over the top for the rest of the story. But I appreciate how the 3rd act breakups in her books are very short lived (like usually less than a chapter) due to that drama.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Gun violence
death of a friend
How to Do the Work: Recognize Your Patterns, Heal from Your Past, and Create Your Self by Nicole LePera
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
3.75
This book is a nice beginning step and primer for a number of different coping skills and approaches to mental health. It can get a bit woo woo at times and is a bit simple but I was able to ease through those bits. It gives a number of coping skills to try and you can dive into those more with further reading. The last chapter was a bit too out there for me and I don’t love some of the books recs but appreciate her references and journaling prompts.
Are Prisons Obsolete? by Angela Y. Davis
dark
informative
medium-paced
4.0
This is a good starting point for studying the links between prisons, capitalism, and racism. It does provide some starting points for alternatives to prisons at the end, but that topic requires further reading. This is much more about the point of the title - that prisons should be obsolete and what is happening behind closed doors.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Racism, Rape, Slavery, and Torture
The Broken Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.0
This book got off to a stronger start than the first one, but I still find it so jarring how much NK Jemisin's writing has improved since this series. This series so heavily leans into romance and I don't think this format of romance is where Jemisin's strong suit is. I much prefer her more subtle romances in later series. The romances in here feel more forced. I do enjoy the world building here and the array of gods. The audiobook narration also makes this more enjoyable as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Gore and Murder