chaoticvirgo's reviews
61 reviews

The Falling in Love Montage by Ciara Smyth

funny hopeful sad 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? Yes

3.5

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

adventurous challenging slow-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

A Dark and Hollow Star by Ashley Shuttleworth

adventurous fast-paced

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

3.5

With its earnestness and inclusivity, I really wanted to love it. Unfortunately, it feels like a set of solid ideas that could not deliver. Magical cities, trope subversions, found family, a sword-wielding lesbian-For something that promises everything, it fell hollow. Moreover, it's generally marketed as a faerie whodunit. Instead of protagonists peeling layers of the crime, being misled, and truths barreling their way like a good mystery does, it just kind of... shows you all the cards. Idk if that's an attempt at genre subversion, but I'm not into that. I want mystery for the mystery.

I do have specific examples of parts that could've used tighter storytelling, but I don't want to dissuade people from seeing that for themselves. There's still some value in it, such as its attempts at integrating mental health in fantasy worlds.

With editing & mystery upgrades, the sequel can still deepen and save the series. Recommending it for the representation, fun romp & the reluctant heroes esp Nausicaa! Just don't expect too much about the world-building, romance, and the half-baked mystery- all of which are unfortunately central to the story.

The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

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? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism and Biphobia

Minor: Homophobia

Found Family

Heart of Silver Flame by S.D. Simper

adventurous slow-paced

2.5

Suffers the middle book syndrome. It adds little to the first book besides betrayal by someone whose arc we don't really get to see.

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Rape

Black Panther: World of Wakanda by Yona Harvey, Afua Richardson, Rembert Browne, Joe Bennett, Roxane Gay, Alitha Martinez, Ta-Nehisi Coates

adventurous emotional hopeful 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

3.5

The Fate of Stars by S.D. Simper

medium-paced

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

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual content

Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay

emotional reflective medium-paced

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Fatphobia

Just Kids by Patti Smith

emotional hopeful inspiring slow-paced

4.5

Astragal by Albertine Sarrazin

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.0