bookishliz_'s reviews
330 reviews

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

challenging emotional reflective 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

5.0

Serpentine by Philip Pullman

reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

Trayvon: Ten Years Later: A Mother's Essay by Sybrina Fulton

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

4.75

Lore Olympus: Volume Three by Rachel Smythe

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted tense 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? No

4.75

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace

dark mysterious fast-paced

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

4.0

Lyra's Oxford by Philip Pullman

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

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

4.0

Lore Olympus: Volume 2 by Rachel Smythe

emotional lighthearted tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

A favourite graphic novel to return to - the art is stunning, and the main characters are so adorable.

All this sweet and cuteness along with dark themes and events is well-balanced and makes for a gripping read.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Gaslighting

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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? No

5.0

Not what I was expecting, but in the best way possible.

"Because survival is insufficient."

Station Eleven follows multiple characters before, during, and after an apocalyptic event, focusing on humans' interconnectedness, and need for art even in times of survival.

I loved the literary nature of this dystopian novel, and I cannot wait to read more of Emily St. John Mandel's work.

Once Upon a Time in the North by Philip Pullman

adventurous fast-paced

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

4.5

A delightful revisit of His Dark Materials world.  I enjoyed

learning how my favourite characters, Iorek and Scoresby, have met each other

.
A quick and enjoyable read for anyone that loves Philip Pullman's characters from His Dark Materials.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

inspiring 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

Immaculate vibes.