bestbedhead's reviews
129 reviews

Come Tumbling Down by Seanan McGuire

adventurous mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.5

I wasn't expecting the series to revisit Jack and Jill so soon but I was certainly entertained by getting the gang back together for yet another adventure. It felt like a conclusion to an arc and it makes me excited to see what is coming next in the world of wayward children. 

Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse

adventurous challenging dark mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.5

I am always hungry for fantasy stories that are not based in euro-centric mythos. Black Sun immediately caught my eye because of this and I found myself so fully immersed in this beautiful world that felt so real despite being such pure fantasy. I loved that this book felt like the beginning to an even greater, bigger story. First books in a series can be tricky but I felt like Roanhoarse had such a beautiful command on the plot and the telling of her story that it only left me wanting more and more. I loved these characters, each of them unique unto themselves as are their places in the story. I can't wait to continue this series and find out what happens in the wake of book one's events. 

Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense 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? Yes

4.5

This book actually fascinated me far beyond my expectations. It was fast paced without feeling rushed or hurried and kept me on the edge of my seat with every turning page. I loved the characters and the sense of how every character is grey, that they all felt as though their purpose is the righteous one but in the end who is really right and what is the truth of the war and their parts to play in it? Super fun read. 

Fireheart Tiger by Aliette de Bodard

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.0

Remote Control by Nnedi Okorafor

challenging emotional mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.0

This was such and interesting and thought provoking little novella. I really enjoy the way Nnedi Okorafor weaves together the African futurism and tradition into something wholly new and interesting. While this story is a near future setting it had this lovely way of feeling like old folklore. Sankofa's journey is tense and mysterious and it left me with many thoughts and questions. 

Jade City by Fonda Lee

adventurous dark emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0

I have wanted to read this series for ages and I must say I'm glad I made myself sit down and read Jade City. I wasn't sure if a clan war/mafia type drama would appeal to me but this book had me hooked from the start. I loved the beautiful mix of martial arts, magical realism, and Asian influence that creates the world of Kekon. Each character is bright and vibrant and jumps off the page and the knuckle biting tension is felt from start to finish. This is one of those books that makes every scene a cinematic masterpiece within your imagination. I would highly recommend to anyone who likes action packed novels about family and duty. 

The Girl from the Other Side: Siúil, a Rún Vol. 2 by Nagabe

dark emotional tense fast-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? No

4.25

The Prey of Gods by Nicky Drayden
Did not finish book.

I made it 50% through this book and had to call it quits. Conceptually this book is really cool mixing a near future South Africa and its tech advances with the whims and wills of powerful demigods. However, the reading of it was very difficult for me. You're following five characters and the pov changes are so fast that you never sit in any one character's perspective for more than a couple pages at time. The characters up to the point I read weren't really connected so it felt very jarring to make such quick shifts to completely unrelated things. Also, the pacing is fast which isn't necessarily a bad thing but it leaves some elements to feel kind of unbelievable since they happen so instantaneously. 

In an Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire

emotional mysterious sad 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

4.5

I was really fascinated to get to read Lundy's story after meeting her in the first wayward children book. Her tale to and from the Goblin Market was full of so many beautiful moments, but painful ones too. Even though you knew the ending from the start every page I found myself hoping that it would turn out differently. It was heartbreaking and beautiful and perhaps in the eyes of the Goblin Market, fair. 

Beneath the Sugar Sky by Seanan McGuire

adventurous mysterious 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

4.5

There's nothing better than getting the gang together for an adventure and this one was full of wicked whimsy. I dearly love the wayward children and I think this was a beautiful glimpse into not only more of the fascinating portal worlds but into the teens themselves. I enjoyed learning more about them and the places they had been and who they are now because of those journeys.