You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
bybookandbone's reviews
386 reviews
All Our Hidden Gifts by Caroline O'Donoghue
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
This just might be my favourite book of the year. Many books set in Ireland just seem off to me but the Ireland I know is within All Our Hidden Gifts. The good sides and the bad.
The story itself is pretty good but it's the realism of the flawed main characters that get me. These could be girls I went to school with (Catholic girls school, nuns, the whole shabang).
The depiction of a young woman finding witchcraft and exploring tarot is also sensitively done. The characters are well rounded and Rue may very well my favourite love interest from a YA.
One thing I haven't seen done before and rarely mentioned even in Ireland, is the insidious relationship between certain conservative Christian Americans and the various lobbying anti-lgbt, anti-choice groups that have sprang up in recent years.
O'Donoghue handled this aspect of the story with the seriousness it deserves and manages to highlight the vulnerability of those caught in the altright, as well as those whose existence they fight against.
The story itself is pretty good but it's the realism of the flawed main characters that get me. These could be girls I went to school with (Catholic girls school, nuns, the whole shabang).
The depiction of a young woman finding witchcraft and exploring tarot is also sensitively done. The characters are well rounded and Rue may very well my favourite love interest from a YA.
One thing I haven't seen done before and rarely mentioned even in Ireland, is the insidious relationship between certain conservative Christian Americans and the various lobbying anti-lgbt, anti-choice groups that have sprang up in recent years.
O'Donoghue handled this aspect of the story with the seriousness it deserves and manages to highlight the vulnerability of those caught in the altright, as well as those whose existence they fight against.
A Melody in the Deep by Cara N. Delaney
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.5
This is the merfolk/romance book I've been waiting for!
I actually put off reading it because I'd been disappointed a few times this year already.
Wish I'd picked it up sooner.
The romance is really wholesome and the world building is fantastic. Usually the romance is expected to hold up shoddy world building but it's well integrated here.
I'd happily read more books set in this world. The merfolk sound fascinating and beautiful.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I actually put off reading it because I'd been disappointed a few times this year already.
Wish I'd picked it up sooner.
The romance is really wholesome and the world building is fantastic. Usually the romance is expected to hold up shoddy world building but it's well integrated here.
I'd happily read more books set in this world. The merfolk sound fascinating and beautiful.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Penny Nichols by Greg Means, MK Reed
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
I think this has been my favourite graphic novel so far this year.
For one, I love how detailed the backgrounds are, I can tell this has a lot of re-readability.
The story is pretty slice of life and just very realistic for a twenty-something with no direction but plenty of motivation. I liked Penny (most of the time) and that the author manages to hit some stereotypes but have these same characters come across as realistic. Nobody is purely terrible or purely great.
The amatur movie hit so many nerves, a completely spot on train wreck that was held together by wishes and one person just getting on.
For one, I love how detailed the backgrounds are, I can tell this has a lot of re-readability.
The story is pretty slice of life and just very realistic for a twenty-something with no direction but plenty of motivation. I liked Penny (most of the time) and that the author manages to hit some stereotypes but have these same characters come across as realistic. Nobody is purely terrible or purely great.
The amatur movie hit so many nerves, a completely spot on train wreck that was held together by wishes and one person just getting on.
In the Labyrinth of Drakes by Marie Brennan
adventurous
emotional
informative
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
Eeeek!
I think this is my favourite in the series yet! A lot of this has to do with the return of one of the best characters, who's goals play off Isabella's very well.
I was a bit frustrated by how realistic the floundering with biological/animal behavior experiments can be, though this frustrates me every novel, it really goes somewhere.
I can't wait to see where it goes! The history and biology of the dragons is now the most interesting aspect to me (ok that was always the winner but Isabella's life is sort of set up by the end of Labyrith of Drakes... no more change please.)
I think this is my favourite in the series yet! A lot of this has to do with the return of one of the best characters, who's goals play off Isabella's very well.
I was a bit frustrated by how realistic the floundering with biological/animal behavior experiments can be, though this frustrates me every novel, it really goes somewhere.
I can't wait to see where it goes! The history and biology of the dragons is now the most interesting aspect to me (ok that was always the winner but Isabella's life is sort of set up by the end of Labyrith of Drakes... no more change please.)
Irish Paganism by Morgan Daimler
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
4.75
This is a really good little introductory book to Irish Paganism. I've been reading up about modern expressions of Irish culture and religions online but it's quite difficult to get some good quality information. I appreciate the list of recommended reading at the back.
I also appreciate the acknowledgement of racism by certain practitioners and how it's not welcome.
Definitely recommend this book as a starting point.
I also appreciate the acknowledgement of racism by certain practitioners and how it's not welcome.
Definitely recommend this book as a starting point.
With Teeth by Brian Keene
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.5
I really didn't like the start.
Over explaining character backstories when very few of them have more than one sentence beforethey die horrifically is a waste of this novella's limited space.
Having said that, once it got going I was hooked! The lore is interesting, the action is good and the ending is just the best.
I wanted a whole extra story forthe remaining characters.
Over explaining character backstories when very few of them have more than one sentence before
Having said that, once it got going I was hooked! The lore is interesting, the action is good and the ending is just the best.
I wanted a whole extra story for
Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
3.75 Stars in reality.
Sounds pedantic, I know, it just doesn't quite scrape the four stars for me.
After a rough start, I began to like Felix as a person. He's imperfect and seems to learn his lesson about being, well, a dickhead to Declan.
The mystery was perfectly done, just the right level of stakes for this story. Though it was upsetting to read about, transphobia is just as prevalent in the queer community as it is in wider society.
Kacen Callender is an exceptional writer, which is the real reason I kept reading after taking such as dislike to the title character in chapter 1. They really know how to express raw emotion through their words. My complaints really amount to disliking so many of the characters and not enough focus on Felix's or the other students art until the end. I also didn't care for his and Ezra's romantic relationship. I loved them as friends but just didn't like how manipulative and toxic I found it when it was revealed that Ezra is in love with Felix. Though I do love how he stands up for Felix when people are transphobic.
Sounds pedantic, I know, it just doesn't quite scrape the four stars for me.
After a rough start, I began to like Felix as a person. He's imperfect and seems to learn his lesson about being, well, a dickhead to Declan.
The mystery was perfectly done, just the right level of stakes for this story. Though it was upsetting to read about, transphobia is just as prevalent in the queer community as it is in wider society.
Kacen Callender is an exceptional writer, which is the real reason I kept reading after taking such as dislike to the title character in chapter 1. They really know how to express raw emotion through their words. My complaints really amount to disliking so many of the characters and not enough focus on Felix's or the other students art until the end. I also
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia
The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Did not finish book. Stopped at 15%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 15%.
Just put it down and had no desire to pick it back up. Maybe another day
Welcome to the New World by Jake Halpern
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
The later portion/last two chapters of this graphic novel are very good but unfortunately over all it's quite middling.
Despite this being a true story and real people, it felt as though we were held at arms length from 2D characters. It's an odd experience.
I think that a lot of this is to do with it being written by a journalist. The graphic novel format just didn't work for the most part.
Having said that, it's not bad and has good moments. The illustrations are great too.
Despite this being a true story and real people, it felt as though we were held at arms length from 2D characters. It's an odd experience.
I think that a lot of this is to do with it being written by a journalist. The graphic novel format just didn't work for the most part.
Having said that, it's not bad and has good moments. The illustrations are great too.
Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.75
I devoured this book!
Arsenic and Adobo is a fantastic start to a new mystery series. I love murder mystery and I love food so I really appreciate the setting. Manansala does a great job of involving you in Filipino (particularly Filipino-American) culture without feeling the need to do any hand-holding.
I could not figure out whodunnit until the very end but had plenty of theories. That's what I like in a mystery.
I did find Lila and Adeena's fight to be confusing. I genuinely didn't understand why they weren't speaking for that short while.
The addition of the recipes mentioned throughout the story at the end of the book was a master stroke. I'll be trying out Tita Rosie's adobo for myself this week!
Arsenic and Adobo is a fantastic start to a new mystery series. I love murder mystery and I love food so I really appreciate the setting. Manansala does a great job of involving you in Filipino (particularly Filipino-American) culture without feeling the need to do any hand-holding.
I could not figure out whodunnit until the very end but had plenty of theories. That's what I like in a mystery.
I did find Lila and Adeena's fight to be confusing. I genuinely didn't understand why they weren't speaking for that short while.
The addition of the recipes mentioned throughout the story at the end of the book was a master stroke. I'll be trying out Tita Rosie's adobo for myself this week!
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism