bookobsessedmommy's reviews
1074 reviews

Mistlefoe: A Mead Realm Tale by Kimberly Lemming

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

5.0

This book is the perfect little winter read. It is ninety five percent spice and five percent plot, But don't hold that against it. We've got instalove and plant-based sexy time Assistance, and a member with a perfect curve. What's not to love?

A Street in Bronzeville by Gwendolyn Brooks

reflective sad medium-paced

There were a couple of lines that really stood out, but poetry is a struggle for me. I wasn't expecting some of these to be so dark. I might try one of her later collections. 

Knot My Type by Evie Mitchell

emotional funny 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

3.0

Cute. Some of the dirty talk was weird, but this was generally enjoyable. 

Saga, Vol. 3 by Brian K. Vaughan

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This series is wild, but I want to keep reading it.

Tell No Tales: Pirates of the Southern Seas by Sam Maggs

adventurous 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

Fun story about a gang of she/they pirates. I really liked the history lessons at the end.

The Nightmare Before Kissmas by Sara Raasch

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted sad 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

4.25

Ahhhh no how is that the end?! Dammit I need the second book right neow! This was so sweet. Heavy handed on the politics and sometimes the purple prose gets to be too much, but Coal, Kris, Hex and Iris are a delight! I have a soft spot for disaster bisexual whose disaster has nothing to do with their sexuality. Hex is so freaking observant and thoughtful, and the idea of finding joy in ugly and scary really made me think. I've got some suspicions about Iris, but I cant wait to see how all this gets sorted.  I'm intrigued by the style of writing used for the sex scenes. The descriptions avoid talking about actual body parts almost entirely, but still paint a clear enough picture that you know exactly what's going on. I can't wait for the next one though. The combination of humor, intrigue, magic and forbidden romance (secret dating is my my kryptonite) are so much fun.

A Not So Silent Night by Sierra Simone, Julie Murphy

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

4.0

Hot bonus content for Bee's and Nolan.

Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Well that was not at all what I expected. This has horror/mystery elements that are incredibly dark, and   gasped out loud when things took a turn. Since the story is about children, I assumed it was ya or middle grade, but seeing that its for adults makes me feel better. The writing is great, and for such a short story this really packs a punch. I know this is a well established series, and while I'm intrigued to see what else happens, I'm going to take a little break.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Gore, Transphobia, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Eating disorder

The Elven Days of Christmas by A.K. Caggiano

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Piper is running herself into the ground trying to coordinate the perfect Christmas for her large and unruly family, when she brings home the wrong (right?) tree and invites the wrath of bureaucratic elf, Kol. This was so cute! The way he takes care of her put the biggest smile on my face. I liked that the plot twists were external instead of contrived between the two of them, at least for the most part. The chapter headings had me cackling and the sex scenes are as sweet as they are hot. I can honestly see myself reading this every year for Christmas, and I will definitely be checking out more from this author as well.

Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad 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? No

5.0

Akwaeke had done it again. Reading Pet, you can't help but be curious about Bitter's backstory, and this book shows us what Lucille was before it became a seeming utopia. This book is haunting, magical and vaguely biblical, but I can almost guarantee it's not in the way you're thinking. Emezi weaves this intricate fantasy world that is painfully similar to ours, and gives this vague hope that things can truly change for the better. I love the queer normative atmosphere, the cultural diversity, and journey Bitter goes on to realize that fighting for justice takes on many forms. If you're dubious about whether YA fiction can be impactful, read this book. I will be shocked if you don't change your mind. 

 “We are each other's harvest; we are each other's business; we are each other's magnitude and bond.” - Gwendolyn Brooks