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analenegrace's reviews
359 reviews
The Women Could Fly by Megan Giddings
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
4.25
This book stands out as a unique 'slice-of-life dystopian novel '. Unlike typical dystopian narratives where characters overthrow oppressive regimes, our protagonist, Jo, navigates life under such a regime, making for a compelling read.
I really appreciated that the author forces us as readers to really consider who will be the most impacted under oppressive regimes, unlike a lot of books in this genre that make white women the most oppressed and do not consider race or sexuality in their dystopian.
While there is an adventure plot and Jo is directly experiencing the oppression of being accused of witchcraft, unlike the last seven chapters, the plot is more about her everyday experiences, which I thought was fantastic.
The writing here was so gorgeous. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did an amazing job. I liked the more ambiguous ending and how it felt like this was actually only the beginning of Jo's story.
I really appreciated that the author forces us as readers to really consider who will be the most impacted under oppressive regimes, unlike a lot of books in this genre that make white women the most oppressed and do not consider race or sexuality in their dystopian.
While there is an adventure plot and Jo is directly experiencing the oppression of being accused of witchcraft, unlike the last seven chapters, the plot is more about her everyday experiences, which I thought was fantastic.
The writing here was so gorgeous. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did an amazing job. I liked the more ambiguous ending and how it felt like this was actually only the beginning of Jo's story.
The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Read for the May 2024 Meeting of the Guild Book Club at Blue Cypress Books in New Orleans, LA
This would probably be rated higher if I hadn't been so confused for too much of the book. When I understood what was happening, I loved it, but I got lost way too often, and it took me forever to read because of that. I found the main overarching story very compelling but got lost in the side story, the second-person story, and the italics of other people's first-person thoughts. Notably, I always struggle with poetic writing, so I knew this would be a struggle for me, but I was very interested in it conceptually.
I think for some people, this could be a favorite book, but my brain doesn't process this kind of stuff well. I thought it was gorgeous writing even when I was confused, and I really liked the generational storytelling of the book, again even when I was confused.
I'm looking forward to my book club friends who loved it, making it make more sense to me!
This would probably be rated higher if I hadn't been so confused for too much of the book. When I understood what was happening, I loved it, but I got lost way too often, and it took me forever to read because of that. I found the main overarching story very compelling but got lost in the side story, the second-person story, and the italics of other people's first-person thoughts. Notably, I always struggle with poetic writing, so I knew this would be a struggle for me, but I was very interested in it conceptually.
I think for some people, this could be a favorite book, but my brain doesn't process this kind of stuff well. I thought it was gorgeous writing even when I was confused, and I really liked the generational storytelling of the book, again even when I was confused.
I'm looking forward to my book club friends who loved it, making it make more sense to me!
Triple Sec by TJ Alexander
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thanks so much to the publisher and Netgalley for an e-arc of this book.
I adore TJ Alexander, and this is another iconic romance from them!
Our main character Mel was such a fun head to be in, and I feel like I learned so much about cocktails (as a very basic bitch when it comes to drinks), and I am desperate to try that Paloma-margarita combo! It was nice to see a character in the service industry who genuinely loves what she does! Mel's emotional turmoil over entering polyamory, especially with a married couple, was so well-written, and I appreciated how much communication played a role in this book.
Kade and Bebe were such fun characters/love interests, and I was so excited to read more polyamory where all members of the relationship were together. I do wish we had gotten to know Kade and Bebe more, as they felt like they were mostly there for Mel's journey as the MC. I loved them both, how they communicated with Mel, didn't make her feel left out, and how earnest and passionate they both were in special ways!
I felt like the second half of this book was a bit rushed and that the front half was a bit slow. Mel and Bebe got a lot of buildup, but Kade, Mel, and all three of them did not get as much buildup as they should have, as this part of the book was also tied up in the drink-making competition.
I loved the little lists of their polyamory negotiations between sections and chapters as it helped make the characters feel much more real!
I adore TJ Alexander, and this is another iconic romance from them!
Our main character Mel was such a fun head to be in, and I feel like I learned so much about cocktails (as a very basic bitch when it comes to drinks), and I am desperate to try that Paloma-margarita combo! It was nice to see a character in the service industry who genuinely loves what she does! Mel's emotional turmoil over entering polyamory, especially with a married couple, was so well-written, and I appreciated how much communication played a role in this book.
Kade and Bebe were such fun characters/love interests, and I was so excited to read more polyamory where all members of the relationship were together. I do wish we had gotten to know Kade and Bebe more, as they felt like they were mostly there for Mel's journey as the MC. I loved them both, how they communicated with Mel, didn't make her feel left out, and how earnest and passionate they both were in special ways!
I felt like the second half of this book was a bit rushed and that the front half was a bit slow. Mel and Bebe got a lot of buildup, but Kade, Mel, and all three of them did not get as much buildup as they should have, as this part of the book was also tied up in the drink-making competition.
I loved the little lists of their polyamory negotiations between sections and chapters as it helped make the characters feel much more real!
Twelfth Knight by Alexene Farol Follmuth
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an E-arc of this title!
While this book had a lot of potential to do an interesting retelling of one of Shakespeare's most interesting plays, it fell into so many stereotypes, particularly with Viola, and was so frustrating it was hard to make my way through it. Viola was a stereotypical feminist teenager who was harsh to everyone around her, and I just could not feel sympathy for her since she was so unlikeable. I often like an unlikeable woman character, but Viola just made me angry because she was so rude to everyone around her, even her friends.
The romance itself was good, and I liked the video game aspect of the retelling. This was a fairly clear retelling that will probably be compelling to those who love Twelfth Night and are teenagers.
While this book had a lot of potential to do an interesting retelling of one of Shakespeare's most interesting plays, it fell into so many stereotypes, particularly with Viola, and was so frustrating it was hard to make my way through it. Viola was a stereotypical feminist teenager who was harsh to everyone around her, and I just could not feel sympathy for her since she was so unlikeable. I often like an unlikeable woman character, but Viola just made me angry because she was so rude to everyone around her, even her friends.
The romance itself was good, and I liked the video game aspect of the retelling. This was a fairly clear retelling that will probably be compelling to those who love Twelfth Night and are teenagers.
Pointe of Pride by Chloe Angyal
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.25
First thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an e-ARC of this book!
This was a super fantastic and fun followup starring Carly, who I loved as a side character in the first book. As a ballet dancer myself, I adore the way Chloe Angyal writes ballet and that both MCs are ballet dancers! It's so rare to find ballet accurately represented in romance, and I appreciated Angyal's expert writing in this series.
Romance-wise, I thought this was so fun. It wasn't anything revolutionary trope-wise: enemies to lovers, forced proximity, meet-ugly, but it did them so perfectly with great banter between our characters, Nick and Carly. Both had complicated internal problems going on, and they had to deal with them in order to grow together. Growing together is probably my favorite thing in a romance novel and Angyal did them perfectly!
I really enjoyed the writing of Carly's pelvic floor dysfunction and of the sex between Carly and Nick, which wasn't penetrative at all, and how the characters had fulfilling sex in many other ways.
I loved this book and I'm so looking forward to any future anything by Angyal!
This was a super fantastic and fun followup starring Carly, who I loved as a side character in the first book. As a ballet dancer myself, I adore the way Chloe Angyal writes ballet and that both MCs are ballet dancers! It's so rare to find ballet accurately represented in romance, and I appreciated Angyal's expert writing in this series.
Romance-wise, I thought this was so fun. It wasn't anything revolutionary trope-wise: enemies to lovers, forced proximity, meet-ugly, but it did them so perfectly with great banter between our characters, Nick and Carly. Both had complicated internal problems going on, and they had to deal with them in order to grow together. Growing together is probably my favorite thing in a romance novel and Angyal did them perfectly!
I really enjoyed the writing of Carly's pelvic floor dysfunction and of the sex between Carly and Nick, which wasn't penetrative at all, and how the characters had fulfilling sex in many other ways.
I loved this book and I'm so looking forward to any future anything by Angyal!
Queer Palestine and the Empire of Critique by Sa'ed Atshan
challenging
informative
reflective
This was a very important read as Israel continues their genocide in Gaza against the Palestinian people. Atshan captures all of the various arguments and details on the topic of the Queer Palestinian experience, Israel's pinkwashing of their violence against the Palestinian people, and more.
As Israel continues its onslaught, this book is more important than ever. Atshan details how Israel has used queer acceptance as a way to cover their violent actions against the Palestinian people, known best as Pinkwashing. He specifically examines how this supposed queer acceptance in Israel is not even accurate, particularly in the legislative and political leadership in the country. Atshan also looks at Palestinian Homophobia, often used as an excuse for Israel's violence, the reasons for it, and the queer movements of the Palestinian people against it. He asks the important question of how a people can evolve when they are being attacked in the way Palestinian people are.
As a Jewish and Queer reader, this book is very vital to my understanding of the Palestinian experience and has equipped me better to discuss these topics. It is a very academic and dense book, and at times, I had to reread sections to understand them, but I think this makes it all the more valuable.
As Israel continues its onslaught, this book is more important than ever. Atshan details how Israel has used queer acceptance as a way to cover their violent actions against the Palestinian people, known best as Pinkwashing. He specifically examines how this supposed queer acceptance in Israel is not even accurate, particularly in the legislative and political leadership in the country. Atshan also looks at Palestinian Homophobia, often used as an excuse for Israel's violence, the reasons for it, and the queer movements of the Palestinian people against it. He asks the important question of how a people can evolve when they are being attacked in the way Palestinian people are.
As a Jewish and Queer reader, this book is very vital to my understanding of the Palestinian experience and has equipped me better to discuss these topics. It is a very academic and dense book, and at times, I had to reread sections to understand them, but I think this makes it all the more valuable.
Pas de Don't by Chloe Angyal
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
I love ballet and I love this book!!!!!
So often romances with ballet in them are boring with no understanding of ballet and just using it to be sexy. But in this, Angyal sets a beautiful stage for a beautiful romance that was filled with genuine ballet references and discussions of the complicated field (in which Angyal is an expert)
Marcus and Heather's story was romantic and fun with much adventuring around Sydney, giving me a picture of what a wonderful place it is.
As a ballet dancer myself, it was really fun to see it accurately represented in fiction and I'm excited for the second book in the series (of which I have an ARC of!)
So often romances with ballet in them are boring with no understanding of ballet and just using it to be sexy. But in this, Angyal sets a beautiful stage for a beautiful romance that was filled with genuine ballet references and discussions of the complicated field (in which Angyal is an expert)
Marcus and Heather's story was romantic and fun with much adventuring around Sydney, giving me a picture of what a wonderful place it is.
As a ballet dancer myself, it was really fun to see it accurately represented in fiction and I'm excited for the second book in the series (of which I have an ARC of!)
Only and Forever by Chloe Liese
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.25
Um, Chloe, queen, what happened??? (in a good way) because this was miles better than the other ones in the series! Like, I am shocked!!
I was excited for this one in a silly way. I enjoyed the others, so I did not expect this beautiful story! Viggio was a favorite background character, so I was thrilled to finally get his story. This felt like a fantastic sendoff for the series with the bookish characters and realizing love isn't always like a romance novel!
Viggio's POV was great because we could see his earnestness and emotions fully. Tallulah's POV really made the character, as we got an understanding of why she was the way she was and her earnestness as well.
also NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP I love it!! alsoshe proposed to him which NEVER happens!!!!
I loved this and I love this series! It's dumb and silly and full of love and tropes and fun and earnestness!!
I was excited for this one in a silly way. I enjoyed the others, so I did not expect this beautiful story! Viggio was a favorite background character, so I was thrilled to finally get his story. This felt like a fantastic sendoff for the series with the bookish characters and realizing love isn't always like a romance novel!
Viggio's POV was great because we could see his earnestness and emotions fully. Tallulah's POV really made the character, as we got an understanding of why she was the way she was and her earnestness as well.
also NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP I love it!! also
I loved this and I love this series! It's dumb and silly and full of love and tropes and fun and earnestness!!
Otherworldly by F.T. Lukens
Did not finish book. Stopped at 59%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 59%.
I got pretty far in this, I know, and I typically love this author's work, but this was just too slow and a bit boring to me.
In the Case of Heartbreak by
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I'm not sure what happened to this series because I remember really enjoying the first one when I read it. I was excited to finally get my hands on this one, but I was really disappointed.
Adam and Ben's story felt chaotic, especially in the first-person audiobook format. There were so many plotlines that ended up all getting solved off-screen by a secondary character. Why????
That character was G-Ma, and I am so tired of the raunchy grandma trope. Its so tired and overdone and honestly makes me uncomfortable. No one's grandma should give them lube and sex toys... that's weird and invasive.
Adam and Ben were pretty good communicators, which I liked, but then, at random moments, they just misunderstood each other in an insane way.
Also, this book was SO insanely horny; I swear there was a 3 chapter sex scene that just felt SO drawn out. Also, some of the sex language was so Wattpaddy, I just couldn't get past it.
I'm willing to try another book by the author, but I'll be a little more wary going forward.
Adam and Ben's story felt chaotic, especially in the first-person audiobook format. There were so many plotlines that ended up all getting solved off-screen by a secondary character. Why????
That character was G-Ma, and I am so tired of the raunchy grandma trope. Its so tired and overdone and honestly makes me uncomfortable. No one's grandma should give them lube and sex toys... that's weird and invasive.
Adam and Ben were pretty good communicators, which I liked, but then, at random moments, they just misunderstood each other in an insane way.
Also, this book was SO insanely horny; I swear there was a 3 chapter sex scene that just felt SO drawn out. Also, some of the sex language was so Wattpaddy, I just couldn't get past it.
I'm willing to try another book by the author, but I'll be a little more wary going forward.