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bybookandbone's reviews
386 reviews
Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko
adventurous
dark
funny
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
3.5
It's hard to assign a star rating to Raybearer because there are several parts that are wonderful, and others that a, frankly, dreadful.
Raybearer start's off very weak and I was baffled at how it gets such glowing reviews. After Tar frees Jeet I finally connected with the book and began to really enjoy it. The characters and world began to gain a shape.
Unfortunately, there's too much telling and not enough showing, especially earlier on in the book. I felt that there are too many time jumps and the reader is supposed to just accept the very close relationships that developed in between. I don't get any proper sense of Dayo other than him being vaguely kind, gentle and asexual . I wish we got to know him better. He just seems to do things out of no where, with no sense if it would align with his characterization or not (because he doesn't have much). Kirah and Jeet are much stronger characters, the rest of the Eleven are less than names on a page. We are told how close they all are but we don't even know most of their names!
There's a muddled bit at the endwhere Woo In takes Tar away from Dayo, for seemingly no proper reason. Yes there's a small story reason but it felt so forced and I think it was a waste of time.
Having said that. I really loved Tar as a protagonist. She's intelligent and cunning, and I mean genuinely. It's not something we are just told and expected to believe. Not like some protagonists based in a royal court. *cough* *cough* Jude
Raybearer start's off very weak and I was baffled at how it gets such glowing reviews. After Tar frees Jeet I finally connected with the book and began to really enjoy it. The characters and world began to gain a shape.
Unfortunately, there's too much telling and not enough showing, especially earlier on in the book. I felt that there are too many time jumps and the reader is supposed to just accept the very close relationships that developed in between. I don't get any proper sense of Dayo
There's a muddled bit at the end
Having said that. I really loved Tar as a protagonist. She's intelligent and cunning, and I mean genuinely. It's not something we are just told and expected to believe. Not like some protagonists based in a royal court. *cough* *cough* Jude
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Child death
Minor: Slavery and Gaslighting
The Haunting of Aveline Jones by Phil Hickes
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The myth, 'Lady of the Waves', is the best part. It's a genuinely creepy setting for a children's ghost story.
Unfortunately, Aveline isn't a very charismatic protagonist and I'm left wondering if she'll grow enough as a character to carry this series. I hope so because Hickes tells a good story.
Aveline's aunt gets the most character growth in the book, so that's... something? In all seriousness, I liked the adults in this.
Overall, it's worth the read but doesn't leave me overly excited for the next book.
Unfortunately, Aveline isn't a very charismatic protagonist and I'm left wondering if she'll grow enough as a character to carry this series. I hope so because Hickes tells a good story.
Aveline's aunt gets the most character growth in the book, so that's... something? In all seriousness, I liked the adults in this.
Overall, it's worth the read but doesn't leave me overly excited for the next book.
Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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
5.0
I'm reeling from the beauty of Sorrowland. I expected to enjoy it but did not think it would be so visceral a story. The imagery evoked by Rivers Solomon is powerful and unrestrained.
"Vern, a hunted woman alone in the woods, gives birth to twins and raises them away from the influence of the outside world." - Vern is actually a 15 year old girl, forcefully married to a much older man by 14, raped and impregnated. I think that's important to know before starting this book as this is some how one of the least triggering traumas depicted within Sorrowland. This is not a complaint by any means, I just feel it important to acknowledge.
Vern's growth to adulthood, her motherhood and sexuality, is haunting, poignant and very passionately written. I adored her two children (and loved her names for them). Vern herself can be difficult to like at times but her snappishness and social awkward behavior is understandable.
I highly recommend this book!
"Vern, a hunted woman alone in the woods, gives birth to twins and raises them away from the influence of the outside world." - Vern is actually a 15 year old girl, forcefully married to a much older man by 14, raped and impregnated. I think that's important to know before starting this book as this is some how one of the least triggering traumas depicted within Sorrowland. This is not a complaint by any means, I just feel it important to acknowledge.
Vern's growth to adulthood, her motherhood and sexuality, is haunting, poignant and very passionately written. I adored her two children (and loved her names for them). Vern herself can be difficult to like at times but her snappishness and social awkward behavior is understandable.
I highly recommend this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Stalking, Pregnancy, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
The Ghost Junkies by Elizabeth J. Rekab
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
4.0
I had a great time reading The Ghost Junkies. It's clear the author had as much fun writing it as I did reading it. If you're a fan of ya ghost stories, especially those set in the 90s, this might scratch that itch. Full on 'I'm not like other girls, I shop in Hot Topic', made me snort!
The concept of getting high from astral projection was something I've personally not seen before and it certainly lent itself to the genre. Instead of questioning why someone would just blindly follow along with odd rituals, it makes sense in context because there seems to be no draw back to the high.
The last 15-20% is a bit of a mess, I have to say. The story sort of stumbles at the conclusion. Not terrible, mind, just falls a bit flat.
Can't wait to see what else this author has.
Thank you to BookSirens for the arc copy of Ghost Junkies, I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The concept of getting high from astral projection was something I've personally not seen before and it certainly lent itself to the genre. Instead of questioning why someone would just blindly follow along with odd rituals, it makes sense in context because there seems to be no draw back to the high.
The last 15-20% is a bit of a mess, I have to say. The story sort of stumbles at the conclusion. Not terrible, mind, just falls a bit flat.
Can't wait to see what else this author has.
Thank you to BookSirens for the arc copy of Ghost Junkies, I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Bullying
The Grandest Bookshop in the World by Amelia Mellor
Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.
I just lost interest, though I was listening to the audiobook so that may be it.
The Velveteen Rabbit: Or How Toys Become Real by Margery Williams Bianco
adventurous
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? It's complicated
5.0
A very cute story that was a pleasure to listen to while working.
It's like if Toy Story was a fairy tale classic, a good way to make children feel better about losing/giving up their old toys they don't use anymore.
It's like if Toy Story was a fairy tale classic, a good way to make children feel better about losing/giving up their old toys they don't use anymore.
Smart by Kim Slater
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
I can't attest to how well certain depictions are done but for what I do know, they were pretty well done.
This is a sad book,the happy ending wasn't enough to offset how upsetting the child abuse, domestic abuse and animal abuse was. I was also sad to see that Kieran's mom isn't held accountable in the text. Yes she's a victim and really tries, this doesn't offset the part she has to play in Kieran's abuse by telling him to go upstairs and then herself getting to watch tv in the main room (which he is not allowed to do). Plus, she's just as culpable in the animal abuse.
The mystery itself and Kieran's part in it was interesting and well written. I wish the book was bigger because there is quite a few different threads included outside the mystery. A lot happens that is almost skipped past at quite a rate because there just isn't time to dwell.
This is a sad book,
The mystery itself and Kieran's part in it was interesting and well written. I wish the book was bigger because there is quite a few different threads included outside the mystery. A lot happens that is almost skipped past at quite a rate because there just isn't time to dwell.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Death, Drug abuse, and Physical abuse
Minor: Addiction, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Injury/Injury detail
Deeplight by Frances Hardinge
adventurous
dark
hopeful
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
5.0
After dnf'ing the audiobook about a year ago, I finally got a physical copy to try. I just didn't gel with the narrator, he sounded nothing like the characters 'should have' in my head.
I was a bit worried that this would put a damper on my read but needn't have worried. Deeplight is a triumph in storytelling.
I was not so much drawn in, as dragged in by the Undersea. The world is fascinating and the characters sympathetic, as well as 3-dimensional. The gods were fascinating and terrible. Just loved the island setting, I'm a sucker for all things marine.
I absolutely loved the sea-kissed and that the author never felt the need to 'cure' them, which you often see when a character is disabled in some way. Selphin's relationship with her mother, while imperfect, felt real. Jelt was frustrating in the beginning but becomes a villain you can understand. Letting go of him and their abusive friendship was Hark's main character growth. Their life broke Jelt in a way it never broke Hark .
The one criticism I have for the book is that the characters did not feel like young teens. They should have been aged up imo. It's a small thing because it doesn't come up often but it matters.
I was a bit worried that this would put a damper on my read but needn't have worried. Deeplight is a triumph in storytelling.
I was not so much drawn in, as dragged in by the Undersea. The world is fascinating and the characters sympathetic, as well as 3-dimensional. The gods were fascinating and terrible. Just loved the island setting, I'm a sucker for all things marine.
I absolutely loved the sea-kissed and that the author never felt the need to 'cure' them, which you often see when a character is disabled in some way. Selphin's relationship with her mother, while imperfect, felt real. Jelt was frustrating in the beginning but
The one criticism I have for the book is that the characters did not feel like young teens. They should have been aged up imo. It's a small thing because it doesn't come up often but it matters.
Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book is worth reading for the intriguing world alone!
I'm not huge on the two main characters, destined love never interests me and I find usually produces shallow characters.
Having said that Zarou starts off great. Loved her for about half the book before cooling a little. Akiva is a nothing burger but Zusanna better be in book 2!
What really caught me was Brimstone and the chimera society. I want to know why the war is really happening and the history of the two factions.
I'm not huge on the two main characters, destined love never interests me and I find usually produces shallow characters.
Having said that Zarou starts off great. Loved her for about half the book before cooling a little. Akiva is a nothing burger but Zusanna better be in book 2!
What really caught me was Brimstone and the chimera society. I want to know why the war is really happening and the history of the two factions.