Reviews tagging 'Violence'

The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love by India Holton

16 reviews

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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nenaveenstra's profile picture

nenaveenstra's review

5.0
adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

India Holton did it again. And this time it's even better than Dangerous Damsels, because it's even more self-aware and basically all the characters you're supposed to be rooting for are autistic-coded. I had many a good laugh, and wide grins, and giggles. And I loved how nerdy this book was, mostly in terms of birds, but also the way the characters spoke. I really feel that Beth could be me in a different universe. 

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

India Holton’s books are always a treat for me. She keeps the pace going, the sexual tension building, and the banter giggle-inducing.

This story follows a pair of ambitious rival ornithologists, who had up until this contest been assistants their respective mentors. When the International Ornithological Society announces a contest to find an incredibly rare and magical bird, with the winner earning a cash prize and *gasp* TENURE, the race is on! 

The attraction is instant but the burn is slow. I was cackling at Holton’s running gag on the “we only have one room” trope. No walls can contain a love with its sight set on the skies!

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adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated

This book is hilarious, and as one of my friends described “does not take itself seriously”. The cast of secondary characters remind me of those in the Knives Out movies. The two main characters are rival ornithologists who, through various shenanigans, partner together in a mass bird hunt. The way the author picked fun at romance tropes was just too good, she had me cackling out loud at one point. I’m going to start the second one now!

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adventurous hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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quiet_reader's profile picture

quiet_reader's review

3.5
adventurous funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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apersonfromflorida's profile picture

apersonfromflorida's review

3.5
adventurous funny lighthearted 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: No

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saffire_sky's profile picture

saffire_sky's review

3.5
adventurous funny lighthearted 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: Complicated

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savvyrosereads's profile picture

savvyrosereads's review

4.5
adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Rating: 4.5/5 stars 
 
Beth and Devon are rival ornithologists who get thrown together to find the mythical caladrius and win Birder of the Year in this historical fantasy novel. 
 
The premise of this book was perfect and the execution was nearly flawless. India Holton’s writing is so sharp and hilarious and touching, and I LOVED the relationship between Beth and Devon so much. Watching their love and trust develop was so heartwarming, and I thought the slow burn was handled so nicely here as well.
 
As a professor myself (not of ornithology, alas), the aspects of this book that dealt with academia were so funny and witty and well-handled. I also really enjoyed the subtle social commentary throughout and the writing style was so engaging and unique. This is my first book from this author, but it absolutely will not be my last! 
 
CW: Animal cruelty; sexism; some minor violence

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funny lighthearted medium-paced
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No

📝 This was another delightful India Holton book. It has her signature sense of humor and winks to the camera, so you have to be cool with that stuff to enjoy it. But it was a fun little road trip romance with twists on the expected tropes.

🌶️ 3/5 There are some intimate scenes but they are described in a somewhat roundabout/non-salacious way.

🎧 I thought the narrator did a great job. It was dual POV but only one performer. She had a good range of voices and was keyed in to the humor.

🏳️‍🌈✊ A casual mention or two of queer people existing, plus a couple of tertiary characters who were not white. Not a lot of diversity.

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