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ballgownsandbooks's reviews
59 reviews
The Voting Booth by Brandy Colbert
hopeful
inspiring
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Grief
Moderate: Police brutality
Minor: Gun violence
For Beautiful Black Boys Who Believe in a Better World by Michael W. Waters, Keisha Morris
emotional
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.5
Such an important story about how to speak to children about racism and police brutality in a way that's honest and open but not overwhelming. The illustrations are gorgeous and I love that the book gives suggestions for simple things that children can start doing to make the world better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Police brutality
Witherward by Hannah Mathewson
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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
3.75
I'm honestly so surprised I haven't seen more hype for this! Not because it's the best book I've ever read, but it seems like exactly the kind of thing that would become a book community darling: it's got the spunky heroine who's out of place in her own life; the parallel magical London; family secrets; the dark, mysterious, initially-antagonistic love interest...
I found a lot of the worldbuilding quite confusing - I really struggled to keep all the different factions and types of magic straight, and the fact that Witherward has all the same place names as regular London, but in a different arrangement, really threw me off! On the other hand, we got a lot of details about the intricacies of shapeshifting, and I really loved those granular details about the rules of the magic!
I enjoyed Ilsa's character, and the friends she makes in Witherward (especially Fyfe!) - found family will always get me! It also seems to be setting up for the sequel to have one of my favourite romance tropes, so I'm excited to see where the story goes next!
I found a lot of the worldbuilding quite confusing - I really struggled to keep all the different factions and types of magic straight, and the fact that Witherward has all the same place names as regular London, but in a different arrangement, really threw me off! On the other hand, we got a lot of details about the intricacies of shapeshifting, and I really loved those granular details about the rules of the magic!
I enjoyed Ilsa's character, and the friends she makes in Witherward (especially Fyfe!) - found family will always get me! It also seems to be setting up for the sequel to have one of my favourite romance tropes, so I'm excited to see where the story goes next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Death of parent
Claustrophobia
Rebel Girls Lead: 25 Tales of Powerful Women by Rebel Girls
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.0
I love how diverse the subjects of the book are, and how there's a mixture of high-profile women and world leaders alongside less well-known people, so there's something for everyone to learn! I liked the inclusion of a direct quote from each of the women too, alongside the biography and illustrations in a variety of styles! ied illustrations!
There are definitely some women whose inclusion I would question (Queen Elizabeth I?) and I did feel the women with famouse husbands were occasionally overshadowed by their stories instead of for their own achievements (Michelle Obama, Melinda Gates), but overall I really loved it!
There are definitely some women whose inclusion I would question (Queen Elizabeth I?) and I did feel the women with famouse husbands were occasionally overshadowed by their stories instead of for their own achievements (Michelle Obama, Melinda Gates), but overall I really loved it!
Archenemies by Marissa Meyer
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Oppression; abuse of power
A Thousand Questions by Saadia Faruqi
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Extreme poverty; classism; intimidation & bullying; breaking and entering
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Slavery
The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-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? No
4.5
Thorn by Intisar Khanani
adventurous
hopeful
tense
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Death, and Grief
Minor: Rape
Sule the Proverb Detective: The Case of the Tied-up Lion by Rene Rawls
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
Absolutely loved this! I love the way the interactiveness and the adorable illustrations give you a feel for the culture, and the theme of working together - plus the whole proverb premise is so fun and Sule is so funny and sweet! Definitely a series to keep an eye on.
Arc provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Arc provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.