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bybookandbone's reviews
386 reviews
Pine by Francine Toon
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
For a book I knew nothing about when I took it from the library, it certainly managed to be everything I don't like in a story.
I mean, for one thing, there's very little story. The blurb covers well over half the book.
It's about a terrible father, drinking his life away because his wife left him, barely caring for his little girl (who seems to be a interesting character that the book refuses to dive into in any meaningful way). The mystery, if you can call it that, is what happened to Christine, the wife. Later on, almost at the end, Ann Marie goes missing because she wants to solve this mystery. Who is Ann Marie? I dunno... the babysitter? and that's about the characterisation we get from her.
she shows up again in a few chapters and lamely names the killer. We never see the aftermath of this and there's no indepth explanation of who he is or why.
The way this non-story wraps up is just lame. Lame is the only descriptive word I can think of for it.
It honestly feels like even the author was bored by their own book and just wanted it to be over.
I mean, for one thing, there's very little story. The blurb covers well over half the book.
It's about a terrible father, drinking his life away because his wife left him, barely caring for his little girl (who seems to be a interesting character that the book refuses to dive into in any meaningful way). The mystery, if you can call it that, is what happened to Christine, the wife. Later on, almost at the end, Ann Marie goes missing because she wants to solve this mystery. Who is Ann Marie? I dunno... the babysitter? and that's about the characterisation we get from her.
The way this non-story wraps up is just lame. Lame is the only descriptive word I can think of for it.
It honestly feels like even the author was bored by their own book and just wanted it to be over.
Melissa by Alex Gino
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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? No
5.0
A great contemporary for children and adults alike.
I'd love to see George on the reading lists for local schools. It's simply written but has a lot of heart and manages to give a good picture of what it may be like for some transgender children.
I found it challenged the innocuous things that we sometimes say or take for granted. As well as challenging some gender roles that really need to left out of the school experience.
While I understand that the author wishes they titled the book Melissa and not George, I do think it was a good idea to keep Melissa's name as George for most the book because it shows that she wasn't yet thinking of herself as Melissa.
I'd love to see George on the reading lists for local schools. It's simply written but has a lot of heart and manages to give a good picture of what it may be like for some transgender children.
I found it challenged the innocuous things that we sometimes say or take for granted. As well as challenging some gender roles that really need to left out of the school experience.
While I understand that the author wishes they titled the book Melissa and not George, I do think it was a good idea to keep Melissa's name as George for most the book because it shows that she wasn't yet thinking of herself as Melissa.
The Abuse of Ashley Collins by Jon Athan
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
ooof this is not good imo.
It's not that I don't find the circumstances or actions within the book unbelievable, I don't find that the characters themselves are believable. They just perform very violent depraved acts out of almost no where. Ashley is difficult due to sexual abuse by her uncle (not in the story), that is disbelieved by her mom . This isn't dived into... it's just an explanation for her teenage difficulties.
Why is Calvin's b-plot in this? Not only is it not really resolved but it also isn't believable in that short a time span. I thought there would be a sort of 'damage done to the non-abused child', which sort of happens but just isn't written well.
The ending is also very poorly thought out. People don't just do those things, even when they've been abused.
Honestly, this is just torture porn.
Very violent stories can be done well but the violence isn't meant to be the story. It should just part of it.
It's not that I don't find the circumstances or actions within the book unbelievable, I don't find that the characters themselves are believable. They just perform very violent depraved acts out of almost no where. Ashley is difficult due to
Why is Calvin's b-plot in this? Not only is it not really resolved but it also isn't believable in that short a time span. I thought there would be a sort of 'damage done to the non-abused child', which sort of happens but just isn't written well.
The ending is also very poorly thought out. People don't just do those things, even when they've been abused.
Honestly, this is just torture porn.
Very violent stories can be done well but the violence isn't meant to be the story. It should just part of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual violence, and Violence
Moderate: Incest and Sexual content
Minor: Misogyny
The Shadow Moth by Francesca Gibbons
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
I just didn't click with the story. I thought I'd love it but the worldbuilding is poor and all the characters are written to be very irritating in different ways.
Shimmerdark by Sarah Mensinga
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
3.0
Shimmerdark doesn't start very well, and many of it's issues relate directly to this rough start.
I'm glad I continued with it because I became fascinated with the world and culture of the shimmerling society.
The story becomes a lot darker than it initially seems it will, I loved how it was handled for the most part.
Really the beginning with Grimshore is over too quick and the story seems to expect you to remember and have emotional attachments to these characters much later in the story. It makes the epilogue section a bit hollow...
I'm glad I continued with it because I became fascinated with the world and culture of the shimmerling society.
The story becomes a lot darker than it initially seems it will, I loved how it was handled for the most part.
Really the beginning with Grimshore is over too quick and the story seems to expect you to remember and have emotional attachments to these characters much later in the story. It makes the epilogue section a bit hollow...
The Familiars by Stacey Halls
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
I don't think I have the words to describe everything I loved about The Familiars. Fleetwood is an incredibly sympathetic character. Just as I was getting irritated with her inaction, we discover that she is only 17, been married for four years and is pregnant with four miscarriages behind her. That's just so much for a young person to take. Plus the childhood neglect and abuse... absolutely horrific.
Throughout the book, Fleetwood has to deal with being seen as nothing more as an interactive uterus in an expensive dress.
I don't want to say much more than that without spoiling the story, though I wish it had ended with the violent murder of her husband, Richard, and his friend Rodger.
Alice is one of the women accused of witchcraft and Fleetwood's only friend, as well as the only midwife who has actually helped her with her difficult pregnancy.
Don't be fooled into thinking this book is about the Pendle trials, it's set around them but at the end of the day, it's Fleetwood and Alice's story. I still wish they ran off together
Throughout the book, Fleetwood has to deal with being seen as nothing more as an interactive uterus in an expensive dress.
I don't want to say much more than that without spoiling the story, though I wish it had ended with the violent murder of her husband, Richard, and his friend Rodger.
Alice is one of the women accused of witchcraft and Fleetwood's only friend, as well as the only midwife who has actually helped her with her difficult pregnancy.
Don't be fooled into thinking this book is about the Pendle trials, it's set around them but at the end of the day, it's Fleetwood and Alice's story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Misogyny, Sexism, and Blood
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, and Sexual assault
Minor: Body horror, Confinement, and Abandonment
Pirate Queen: The Legend of Grace O'Malley by Sam Hart, Tony Lee
adventurous
fast-paced
2.0
Was quite disappointed with this.
The disclaimer at the start mentions that most of it is from the author's imagination. Then why is it so unimaginative?
The dialogue is awful, which is pretty bad considering it's a graphic novel so its pretty much all dialogue. It's awkward and stilted. Lines that are meant to be badass end up being 5 words too long. I imagined Grace trailing off at the end.
The second star is for the good start to the story. It's pretty much all downhill after that.
The disclaimer at the start mentions that most of it is from the author's imagination. Then why is it so unimaginative?
The dialogue is awful, which is pretty bad considering it's a graphic novel so its pretty much all dialogue. It's awkward and stilted. Lines that are meant to be badass end up being 5 words too long. I imagined Grace trailing off at the end.
The second star is for the good start to the story. It's pretty much all downhill after that.
Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is pretty ok. Not an amazing sequel by any means, a lot of the charm has been lost but it retains enough for me to want to see how the series ends.
Mal drove me crazy throughout. I understand that he was dishonourably discharged (instead of hanged) and is upset but he gives off a 'my girlfriend can't out earn me' vibe that made me roll my eyes. He just seems to have become so jealous of Alina and insecure. Not a fan.
I prefer Sturmhund to Nik. He was just a more interesting character that way.
Mal drove me crazy throughout. I understand that he was dishonourably discharged (instead of hanged) and is upset but he gives off a 'my girlfriend can't out earn me' vibe that made me roll my eyes. He just seems to have become so jealous of Alina and insecure. Not a fan.
I prefer Sturmhund to Nik. He was just a more interesting character that way.
Our Wild World: From the Birds and Bees to Our Boglands and the Ice Caps by Eanna Ní Lamhna
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0
Having grown up watching or listening to Eanna Ní Lamhna, Creature Feature was a favourite of mine, I finally picked up one of her books. Along with several other scientists and naturalists, Ní Lamhna had an impact on me and is one of the reasons I'm a scientist.
I had no idea how well her charm and comedic style would translate to the page. I loved the turns of phrases used throughout. While this book is suitable for everyone teenage and older, it also doesn't shy away from some scientific words or the reality of certain situations, even if it's uncomfortable.
I appreciate that.
Having just praised the book, I must criticise one thing. The turns of phrases and tongue-in-cheek tone, becomes quite accusatory. I've never been a fan of laying all of the environmental damage at the feet of the individual. We <i>can</i> do something about our own waste, however, many many people can only do so much with what they have. If the apples in plastic are cheaper than the loose apples from the market, that's what most people will buy.
In the chapter about recycling, Ní Lamhna talks about teaching kids about the three Rs and states that she thinks they're 'millennials'... Oh no... don't do it.
She did. Dang millennials and their coffee cups >:C
I'm open to being wrong but I think millennials are the only named group negatively associated with environmental damage in the book.
I think I'm a bit more optimistic about the individual than Ní Lamhna is. We all have reusable cups now, try to cut down on waste and regularly 'kill' wasteful industries. We're also completely jaded and aware of how little power the individual has in the face of large corporations.
I'm a little saddened that there wasn't more about wildlife in the book but I did enjoy the environmental information. The explanation of how Covid19 and other such diseases happen and are becoming more common was very much appreciated. I would still recommend this book to anyone interested in wildlife, biodiversity and our impact on it
I had no idea how well her charm and comedic style would translate to the page. I loved the turns of phrases used throughout. While this book is suitable for everyone teenage and older, it also doesn't shy away from some scientific words or the reality of certain situations, even if it's uncomfortable.
I appreciate that.
Having just praised the book, I must criticise one thing. The turns of phrases and tongue-in-cheek tone, becomes quite accusatory. I've never been a fan of laying all of the environmental damage at the feet of the individual. We <i>can</i> do something about our own waste, however, many many people can only do so much with what they have. If the apples in plastic are cheaper than the loose apples from the market, that's what most people will buy.
In the chapter about recycling, Ní Lamhna talks about teaching kids about the three Rs and states that she thinks they're 'millennials'... Oh no... don't do it.
She did. Dang millennials and their coffee cups >:C
I'm open to being wrong but I think millennials are the only named group negatively associated with environmental damage in the book.
I think I'm a bit more optimistic about the individual than Ní Lamhna is. We all have reusable cups now, try to cut down on waste and regularly 'kill' wasteful industries. We're also completely jaded and aware of how little power the individual has in the face of large corporations.
I'm a little saddened that there wasn't more about wildlife in the book but I did enjoy the environmental information. The explanation of how Covid19 and other such diseases happen and are becoming more common was very much appreciated. I would still recommend this book to anyone interested in wildlife, biodiversity and our impact on it