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apollo0325's reviews
381 reviews
To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
A very scientific look at space exploration, desire for knowledge, and why we feel the desire to learn about our universe. It’s a bit reflective, but it wasn’t reflective like “Psalm for the Wild-built” that asked more personal questions. It was more reflective in regards to the wider question of humanity’s desire for exploration. A bit of a character study since we’re following the same four astronauts through the novella. It was beautifully written as expected of Chambers, but it wasn’t my cup of tea because it leaned so heavily into the sciences. Fortunately, it was a quick read.
Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Really fun romcom, coming of age sort of story. I found the twists predictable, but I still enjoyed the characters and story. I did find it to be a bit of a slog to get through because there was a lot of repetition or just nothing really happening.
NGL, there were a few parts that made me go, “Izumi, why are you being so dumb” and then I have to remember, she’s 18 and stupid like most teenagers (as a previous teenager myself, I was very stupid at 18).
I’m interested in the sequel, but I feel this could have been a one and done standalone. If you like the Princess Diaries, have curiosity about Japanese high society, and enjoy a lot of teenage subplots, you’ll enjoy this.
NGL, there were a few parts that made me go, “Izumi, why are you being so dumb” and then I have to remember, she’s 18 and stupid like most teenagers (as a previous teenager myself, I was very stupid at 18).
I’m interested in the sequel, but I feel this could have been a one and done standalone. If you like the Princess Diaries, have curiosity about Japanese high society, and enjoy a lot of teenage subplots, you’ll enjoy this.
Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher
dark
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
TOADLING, MY DAUGHTER, I LOOOOOVE YOOOOOOooOooOoOoU!!! Toadling was such a fun MC to follow and I loved whenever she turned into a toad, so cute 💖 Her and Halim were so cute 🥺😭🥰
Hell Followed with Us by Andrew Joseph White
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
A tender and tragic story of a young trans boy fighting against the fate forced upon him by religious fanatics. It’s a tough story and it’s one I’d recommend with a warning of heavy body horror/gore, transphobia, dead-naming, religious trauma, and lots of violence.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Dysphoria, War, Transphobia, Death of parent, Blood, Death, Body horror, Violence, Religious bigotry, Gore, Vomit, and Deadnaming
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Physical abuse
The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
With Cassandra Khaw, she does a handful of things well: rich and vibrant descriptions, atmosphere, and banger concepts. While I didn’t care for the execution of Nothing but Blackened Teeth, I think her execution works better here. I will say, sometimes her language gets me a bit lost in the sauce, but if you go into this story wanting something fast with creepy vibes and lots of great body horror descriptions, you’ll enjoy this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Body horror
Snow Fairy by Tomo Serizawa
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
BANGER!! AN ABSOLUTE BANGER!!!! This is what I needed to kickstart my September reading!!
It was really cute and endearing, and I loved the dynamics of the two MCs and their relationship. It was so tender and lovely.
It was really cute and endearing, and I loved the dynamics of the two MCs and their relationship. It was so tender and lovely.
Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
dark
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
Always historical with Moreno-Garcia, but this time, it’s with vague movie references and small bits of movie history that lead up to a supernatural finale. I liked the supernatural elements a lot and would love to see Moreno-Garcia use them more in the future. However, I found the “plot twists” boring and unsurprising. Most of the characters were annoying and Tristán was the absolute WORST. The romance (if you can call it that) was lackluster at best and I’m fully confident when I say Tristán and Montserrat are going to break up constantly and eventually get married to be divorced 6 months later. I would have rather had no love story than what we got. It gave me the same annoyance as the Daughter of Doctor Moreau.
A Little Bit Country by Brian D. Kennedy
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
A really fun, low-stakes queer rom-com set in a Dollywood-esque and country music backdrop that focuses on authenticity. It was an easy and fun read and I was surprised to hear this was a debut! It’s easy to see a lot of love and thought went into this book. I’m looking forward to more of Kennedy’s work in the future.
Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley
challenging
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
I really didn’t know the premise of this book going in and based on the cover, I thought it was a fantasy. It is definitely not a fantasy. It’s… a lot of things. It tackles Indigenous culture and history as well as problems within the community itself. It also involved a lot of hockey, had a really frustrating SA subplot about 70% of the way through the book, and a main character that couldn’t get out of her own head long enough to listen to anyone around her. Also, antagonists that just explained the entire plot. For a book that’s supposed to be a sort of mystery, our detectives are really not great at being detectives 💀
I had a lot of frustrations with this book. There was almost too many characters, too many subplots, and not enough of our MC trying to solve the mystery and instead, things just happening to her and the answers being plopped onto her lap. Too many characters led to characters feeling very one-note or tropey. Too many subplots made some feel overly developed while some flopped like fish out of water.
I will say, I liked learning about Daunis’s Indigenous culture and how integral both sides of her are to making the whole.
I had a lot of frustrations with this book. There was almost too many characters, too many subplots, and not enough of our MC trying to solve the mystery and instead, things just happening to her and the answers being plopped onto her lap. Too many characters led to characters feeling very one-note or tropey. Too many subplots made some feel overly developed while some flopped like fish out of water.
I will say, I liked learning about Daunis’s Indigenous culture and how integral both sides of her are to making the whole.
This World is Full of Monsters by Jeff VanderMeer
2.5
Bonkers little short story. Got lost in the sauce, but that’s sort of VanderMeer’s thing. If you’ve read Annihilation and hit the last 1/3 of it, this entire short story is akin to that major part of Annihilation towards the end.