catalyst226's reviews
200 reviews

Marked by Kristin Cast, P.C. Cast

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

Rereading this series that I first started back in middle school... Wow, I've changed a lot in 18 years and so have my tastes (but I'm still enjoying it for the most part with some mild cringing). This reads like a teenager's diary and has the highschool stakes nailed down.

I'm looking forward to actually getting the rest of the story and found myself remembering some of the upcoming plot points already.

A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher

dark emotional medium-paced

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

4.0

I went into this without any background info so BE WARNED THIS BOOK FEATURES CHILD ABUSE.

I really enjoyed the story overall but the ending wrapped up quite quickly and fell a little flat. Kingfisher writes a wonderful "mature" romantic subplot and really fleshes out every main character. She also writes incredible horror elements. She's also got some beef with horses...

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse

The New Naturals by Gabriel Bump

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

This was an interesting read as it was not at all what I expected. It has a very conversational-based writing style and was harder to follow. The characters we follow are complex and only somewhat connected to one another.

I switched to the audio version about 65% of the way through and enjoyed it far more than the print version.

The Golden Enclaves by Naomi Novik

dark emotional 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

I really enjoyed this book as it's own story outside of the setting of the previous two novels and as the conclusion to the trilogy. The author clearly had the entire story in mind from the beginning and laid it out expertly. The globetrotting and "twist" on El's prophecy in particular were my favorites.

The Last Graduate by Naomi Novik

adventurous 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

4.5

In true book-two-of-a-trilogy fashion, this was not quite as good as book one but definitely sets the stage for book three. El's character development was a through line of the plot. The romance was very teenage and brief (yay). We also learn a lot about the power and magic system as well as the school itself. Also yet another cliffhanger. I wish we could have gotten a bit more information on El's mom's warning but I could have missed it.

A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik

dark emotional 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

I've not read a ton of academia-esque fantasy but I LOVED this. The fact that our main character is prophesized to be a dark wizard but fights it at every turn is honestly delightful. Watching her (finally) grow into friendships was very nice. Also a well-done cliffhanger at the end.

Neon Gods by Katee Robert

3.0

A Magical Girl Retires by Park Seolyeon

lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.0

A quick read about a woman coming in to her power as a magical "girl" under misinformed circumstances. I came in expecting a different story but enjoyed it nonetheless. The real big bad being climate change was very modern.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt

Moderate: Domestic abuse

When the Vibe Is Right by Sarah Dass

emotional funny lighthearted 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? Yes

5.0

A fun carnival-centric story revolving around Tess, her family, classmates, and "rivals". Each character is vibrant and adds to the story.

Crooked Plow by Itamar Vieira Junior

challenging reflective relaxing medium-paced

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

5.0

A beautiful translated novel, told in three parts with three different narrators. The story follows a family of tenant farmers in Agua Negra, beginning with Bibiana and the self-inflicted wounds her and her sister take on from the curiosity of finding a knife in their grandmother's luggage. We follow past these events and learn about their elders and other members of their community.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Murder

Moderate: Rape, Slavery