alicia_ann_reads's reviews
479 reviews

Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire

challenging mysterious sad fast-paced

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

5.0

Absolutely loved this back story of Jack and Jill! I appreciate how gender roles were worked in, and there were Vampires and Werewolves! 

Just Happy to Be Here by Naomi Kanakia

informative lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

2.5 stars.

I felt the trans rep/message in this book was adequate. However there was also a lot of non binary phobia.

The actual story was meh for me, but that's likely due more to my age and leaning away from YA contemporary books. It felt disjointed and there were warring stories that never connected.

Cobalt Red: How the Blood of the Congo Powers Our Lives by Siddharth Kara

challenging informative sad slow-paced

5.0

I learned so much. This is a must read.

A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson

challenging dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I read this via audiobook and it was so well done. 

I appreciated the POV narrative and themes around toxic relationships, manufactured consent and how easy it is to dismiss your own strength in the face of fear. 

It was sensual and cathartic. 

Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century by Alice Wong

informative medium-paced

5.0

Highly recommend reading this via audiobook. Especially the introduction. 

I Was a Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones

adventurous dark medium-paced

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

4.0

This is my first horror slasher type book, it was really confusing at first and I had no idea what I was reading.

Then I figured it out and essentially guessed the ending. I thought it was a really neat way to tell the story first person from the slashers perspective. 

There were some pretty gruesome parts though. 

Celestial Monsters by Aiden Thomas

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring 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

What a fantastic conclusion to the Sunbearer Duology! It picked up right where we left off, and was ham packed with action.

I especially loved that no matter how angry or untrusting a person one they always respected pronoun preferences.

The story is really about second chances, proving to oneself and others that despite what you are born into your choices are what make you. 

Thank you to Net Galley for the advanced audiobook. The narrator has in book 1 did a great job with both POVs. 

Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer

hopeful informative relaxing medium-paced

5.0

Loved this collection of essays so much. So many a ha moments and things to ponder. 

I wish we could have preserved this mentality and way of living, and I hope the reciprocity continues to grow. 

The Framed Women of Ardemore House by Brandy Schillace

funny hopeful mysterious 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

3.5

I really appreciated the autism rep in this book, and I loved that we had a few neurodivergent characters as well. 

The mystery was okay... I guessed early on who the murderer was but the true mystery of the painting was where the story was actually really good. 

It feels left open for a sequel, etc would be good because there are a few are characters that kind if just disappear towards the end of the book and funny feel complete. 

A slow start, but enjoyable.

Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

It was so interesting to read a book set in this year, that was written in the early 90's. Scary how it's not inconceivable to occur yet.. 

I liked the diary like fictional autobiography storytelling but wished there was more to the hyper empathy than there was. 

It really picked up halfway through and while I don't love books that speak to God a lot I appreciated how this one was different in that regard. 

It was a pretty tough read at times, but was still good.