arrrgh_schooling's reviews
1354 reviews

The Queen's Spade by Sarah Raughley

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative sad 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? No

4.25

This was such an interesting read. I had only vaguely heard of Sarah Forbes Bonetta, so I was curious to read a book about her. This story is about royalty, court intrigue, and the lengths a girl will go to seek vengeance.

I could tell that the author put a lot of research into telling this story. I loved how she gave Sally a voice, creating this tale of revenge against the crown around what we know about Victoria and her ideas of abolition and empire. This reimagines history, but with so much historical detail, it feels like it could easily be a true story.

Ina, or Sally, as she is known in Great Britain, is a fierce protagonist. We learn about her history with the crown and why she would throw everything away to seek revenge against the people who tore her away from her home. There is a lot of racism, both outright and subtle, in this story. You will feel Sally's fury as she must live amongst people who treat her as a pet but always other.

I had some issues with the pacing around the middle of the book and the repetitiveness of certain lines, but overall, I liked this book. It would be a great tie-in to studying the Victorian period. 

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for the free e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

American Cannibal by Rebecca Rowland, Maenad Press

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.75

I'm the Grim Reaper, Vol. 1 by GRAVEWEAVER

dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced

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

2.75

Spy x Family, Vol. 1 by Tatsuya Endo

funny lighthearted mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

Tokyo Ghoul, Vol. 1 by Sui Ishida

dark emotional mysterious tense

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

4.0

Chainsaw Man, Vol. 1: Dog and Chainsaw by Tatsuki Fujimoto

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Otaku Vampire's Love Bite, Vol. 1 by Julietta Suzuki

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

2.5

Kageki Shojo!! Vol. 1 by Kumiko Saiki

funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted 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

3.75

We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-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

4.0

Against the Darkness by Kendare Blake

adventurous funny mysterious 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