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atreegrowsinbooks's reviews
329 reviews
And Then She Fell by Alicia Elliott
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This was a fascinating story, one that I really didn’t know much about going in. And that was a good thing. There some eerie elements and some strange things with bugs but overall I wouldn’t classify this as horror.
Listening to the audiobook made me feel anxious and slightly paranoid but I think audio is the way to go with this story, it brought it to life. You really get into Alice’s head with the narrator. I think the mental health struggles were used in an authentic way.
I really enjoyed this book and would gladly read more from Elliott.
Listening to the audiobook made me feel anxious and slightly paranoid but I think audio is the way to go with this story, it brought it to life. You really get into Alice’s head with the narrator. I think the mental health struggles were used in an authentic way.
I really enjoyed this book and would gladly read more from Elliott.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Racism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Addiction, Suicide attempt, Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism
A Safe Girl To Love by Casey Plett
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-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
I really enjoyed the writing style from Plett. Some of the short stories were more enjoyable than others but I kind of expected that going into this, since I usually don’t like all short stories in a collection. I’m glad that this collection exists, showing trans women living everyday lives. I don’t think this needed to change a thing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Transphobia
Moderate: Deadnaming, Drug use, Sexual harassment
Minor: Self harm, Sexism, Pregnancy
Hunting by Stars by Cherie Dimaline
adventurous
challenging
dark
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
4.75
A fantastic follow up to The Marrow Thieves. I liked it just slightly less than the first book, but it was still very strong. I'm now convinced to read everything from Dimaline, because I have really enjoyed her writing so far.
This was another super dark and sad book, but I think I wanted some more from a few plot points. Otherwise, it was so intriguing. So many terrible things happen to some wonderful characters, but this was very well written. I enjoyed listening to it on audio.
This was another super dark and sad book, but I think I wanted some more from a few plot points. Otherwise, it was so intriguing. So many terrible things happen to some wonderful characters, but this was very well written. I enjoyed listening to it on audio.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Racism, Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Torture, Violence, Pregnancy
Minor: Child death
The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-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? No
5.0
An incredibly dark and powerful book by Dimaline.
While this is a dystopian novel set in the future, much of the story could have easily been written as non-fiction. Seeing the genocide against the Indigenous folks was heartbreaking. I enjoyed Frenchie a lot. His heart and love for his found family and real family is written so beautifully.
There were of course some terrible things that happen which were so sad to read. The ending whenIssac and Miigwans finally reunite had me in tears
Dimaline writes such strong characters and storylines, I’ll for sure be picking up more. This was a difficult book to read but one that is done so well and with care. Indigenous folks deserve to live life fully ❤️
While this is a dystopian novel set in the future, much of the story could have easily been written as non-fiction. Seeing the genocide against the Indigenous folks was heartbreaking. I enjoyed Frenchie a lot. His heart and love for his found family and real family is written so beautifully.
There were of course some terrible things that happen which were so sad to read. The ending when
Dimaline writes such strong characters and storylines, I’ll for sure be picking up more. This was a difficult book to read but one that is done so well and with care. Indigenous folks deserve to live life fully ❤️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Racism
Moderate: Child death, Sexual assault
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
Rooted: The American Legacy of Land Theft and the Modern Movement for Black Land Ownership by Brea Baker
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Brea Baker has a way with words! I don’t normally enjoy history or politics books but I loved this one. It was easy to listen to Baker narrate her book, with the information coming across as easy to follow and understandable. Even if the content is tough.
This history is so sad to learn about but it’s important because Black and Indigenous lands are still being taken away from folks. And we need to be aware of this history.
This history is so sad to learn about but it’s important because Black and Indigenous lands are still being taken away from folks. And we need to be aware of this history.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide
The Love Simulation by Etta Easton
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
I love how Etta Easton writes her female main characters. They are smart and funny, strong and successful, but are also real people who aren't perfect. I appreciate that she doesn't write them as whinny. I loved Easton's first book, The Kiss Countdown, so I had high hopes for this one.
You can definitely tell that the tv show "Abbott Elementary" is an inspiration for the main characters Brianna and Roman (I also recommend watching that show, it's great!). The premise of the Mars simulation was silly, but I enjoyed the silly. It was nice to see Brianna open up and get closer to everyone in the group during the simulation, not just Roman. I also enjoyed that we got to see Brianna's desire and want for Roman. I also wanted to get Roman's POV, but it worked as a single POV.
The 3rd act breakup, while you kind of see it coming, still feels genuine which is nice. Most often those don't feel real, so I appreciate when it makes sense for the story.
Overall loved Brianna's and Roman's love and enjoyed the character growth for Brianna, but wished we could have gotten more from Roman. I didn't love this book as much as The Kiss Countdown, but I love fake dating over all other tropes (but forced proximity is still one I enjoy too). This still was a successful storyline and one I would recommend :)
I will for sure be reading anything that Easton writes in the future!
You can definitely tell that the tv show "Abbott Elementary" is an inspiration for the main characters Brianna and Roman (I also recommend watching that show, it's great!). The premise of the Mars simulation was silly, but I enjoyed the silly. It was nice to see Brianna open up and get closer to everyone in the group during the simulation, not just Roman. I also enjoyed that we got to see Brianna's desire and want for Roman. I also wanted to get Roman's POV, but it worked as a single POV.
The 3rd act breakup, while you kind of see it coming, still feels genuine which is nice. Most often those don't feel real, so I appreciate when it makes sense for the story.
Overall loved Brianna's and Roman's love and enjoyed the character growth for Brianna, but wished we could have gotten more from Roman. I didn't love this book as much as The Kiss Countdown, but I love fake dating over all other tropes (but forced proximity is still one I enjoy too). This still was a successful storyline and one I would recommend :)
I will for sure be reading anything that Easton writes in the future!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Sexual content
Disintegrate/Dissociate by Arielle Twist
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
Reading poetry uses different brain muscles for me, and sometimes I feel like not everything totally makes sense. However, I’m still pushing myself to take in poetry, so that it seeps into my pours.
I felt that this collection was very profound. I didn’t understand it all but it was still incredibly powerful.
I felt that this collection was very profound. I didn’t understand it all but it was still incredibly powerful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual violence, Transphobia
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed the prose. It flowed and was elegant and eloquent. I loved how strong Xiomara was although it was sad when the elements of sexism were brought up, especially when she questioned why she would get in trouble for not cleaning up but her brother wouldn’t.
I felt like the ending wrapped up to cleanly. Surely if your motherburned your journal of everything you’ve ever written it would take much longer to resolve that. So otherwise enjoyed this book apart from the clean wrapped up ending.
I felt like the ending wrapped up to cleanly. Surely if your mother
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Religious bigotry
Moderate: Body shaming, Homophobia, Sexual harassment
VenCo by Cherie Dimaline
adventurous
emotional
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? No
5.0
I loved this book so much. This was a great book to listen to, and will for sure be looking for more books by this author as well as this narrator.
I loved the witches, and the spoons, and the vibe of this story. It was cool to learn about each of the witches and how they found their own spoons. I loved the indigenous culture coming through for Lucky, and the strong witchy women.
Can’t wait to read more from Diamaline.
I loved the witches, and the spoons, and the vibe of this story. It was cool to learn about each of the witches and how they found their own spoons. I loved the indigenous culture coming through for Lucky, and the strong witchy women.
Can’t wait to read more from Diamaline.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Dementia, Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Transphobia, Death of parent
Minor: Addiction, Deadnaming, Alcohol
They Say Blue by Jillian Tamaki
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
First off, the illustrations in this book are beyond beautiful!
I loved the movement found throughout this book and the variations of it, from physical movement, to the movement of seasons. I loved the tree! The quietness and love for nature.
I loved the movement found throughout this book and the variations of it, from physical movement, to the movement of seasons. I loved the tree! The quietness and love for nature.