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cjwitch's reviews
113 reviews
The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
This book is told in a non-linear narrative, in which a cleric, Chi, is cataloguing a house of the recently deceased Empress of Salt and Fortune while listening to Rabbit, the Empress's old handmaiden, talk about her youth with the Empress. In her discussions, we switch back in time and follow as Rabbit befriends and serves Empress In-Yo in her rise to power.
I did not expect to both enjoy and be as moved by this short novella as I was. In 120 pages, the author captures the reader and ensnares attention. The first few tales that Rabbit shares are confusing, but as the story unfolds we are left with an inspiring story of courage, resilience, intelligence, and loyalty. Even though we only get the bare bones of the tale of Empress In-Yo and her followers, every character became beloved to me in one way or another and I mourned as they suffered and rejoiced in their victories. As the story concluded, I was left wanting nothing so much as to turn back to the first page and read it again.
The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest
3.5
The Neighbor Favor is relatively low angst, with a sweet romance, and a great cast of side characters. The book did feel a little underdeveloped in the beginning, but second half picked up with more humor, pining, and just overall fun.
Where this book really excelled, to me, was group scenes with Lily’s family, coworkers, or Nick’s friends Marcus and Caleb. The ways that the various groups interacted and teased Lily and Nick over their obvious interest in each other, and the flairs of pining and jealousy as the two watched each other while denying their feelings, was so real and so much fun to read.
This book was cute and flirty, mostly lighthearted, and has a kind of sweet romance that speaks to any introvert.
Parable of the Sower: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Octavia E. Butler
4.0
I have never read the novel, so this is a review from someone introduced to this dystopia directly through the graphic novel adaptation. I went into this with only two real pieces of information: 1) It’s on the banned book list -therefore a must read- and 2) it takes place on a world ravaged by climate change.
The Art: the art style used to depict this story was absolutely perfect. It conveyed so much of the emotion of the tale, alternating between grotesque, horrifying, terrifying, yet at times still stunningly beautiful. The art sucks you into this world as thoroughly as Lauren’s (fmc) writings do, and many of the scenes will stick with you long after you finish reading.
The Story: this book takes place from 2024-2027 and follows a cast of characters fighting for survival in a violent, brutal world. I didn’t expect this to center as heavily around God and religion as it does. I don’t know if the novel gets more into the intricacies of climate change and the authoritarian politics, but in the graphic novel it felt like those concepts were backdrops for the religion being created by Lauren. Despite this, the topics were evident throughout, along with heavy commentary on social inequity and capitalism.
The story itself is captivating, and terrifyingly real. So much of what takes place within the story reflects happenings around the country today: a warning of where we are headed. Yet, despite every reason in which it shouldn’t exist within these pages, this story is filled with a determined optimism. There is community and love; there are people willing to help each other even in the face of danger. There is hope that in banding together, something new can be created and maybe, just maybe, we can make it through.
Overall, this graphic novel was a great introduction, but it felt like it captured the heart of something without the nuance and it left me wanting to dive deeper. I will definitely be reading the novel.
Dix by Emmy Sanders
3.5
I adored the found family and large cast of characters. I adored both Dixon and Niko. I was more more invested in the found family of it all than in Niko and Dixon’s relationship though, but the book was a lot of fun with low angst and lots of reasons to smile.
Binti by Nnedi Okorafor
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
This is a short and wonderful read. For being less than 100 pages, Nnedi Okorafor somehow managed to showcase an incredibly well-developed and interesting universe with a unique magic system and intriguing organic technology.
Binti was engaging, the characters interesting, and the plot quick but deep. Some of the darker aspects of the plot felt a little glossed over, but the depth of Binti’s character and richness of her background and identity are such that the story never feels lacking.
Every page of this book is so incredibly well written and breathtaking. I will definitely be reading the rest of this series and checking out other works by this author!
The Nightmare Before Kissmas by Sara Raasch
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
This book was an unexpected kind of delight. I expected cute. I expected heartwarming. I did NOT expect the political nature of the Holiday’s inner workings, or the trauma and grief and the deeper messages about healing.
The banter between Coal, Kris, and Iris was so real and their text conversations slayed me! Coal and Hex’s banter was lovely and funny, but it was their deeper emotional connection and the ways they stood up for each other and balanced each other that was truly moving.
A Nightmare Before Kissmas managed to bring several threads together into a seamless and wonderful tale that makes you laugh and cry and rage. There are beautiful messages about joy found in darkness and about healing in small steps. Read this and enjoy the journey.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Domestic abuse
Domestic abuse is a fear of it, nothing happens
Shameless Puckboy by Eden Finley, Saxon James
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.25
Forbidden romance and a touch of hurt/comfort. This addition to the Puckboys was both sweet and funny. I love how playful Oskar and Lane get as they grow comfortable with each each other. And the way they read each other and see past masks is heartwarming. With every book, my love for the Queer Collective grows, and the found family vibes are getting stronger and stronger. This one brought in more from the CU Hockey Series (though you don’t have to have read those to follow this) and revisiting those characters was amazing.
Irresponsible Puckboy by Eden Finley, Saxon James
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.5
Fake marriage, fake relationship, pansexual rep, pining, and best friends (and idiots) to lovers…this book had so many of the tropes that I adore. Dex and Tripp are wonderful to read. They are funny, lighthearted (mostly), and both so committed to each other even before their relationship takes off. I loved Dex realizing his feelings, and Tripp slowly getting everything he’s ever wanted. This book isn’t quite a warm hug, there are some conflicts and heartache, but it still leaves you feeling light and happy and wishing for more of these two!
Egotistical Puckboy by Eden Finley, Saxon James
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
I wasn’t sure what I’d think of this book, going in, as the character was not one I was fond of in the CU Hockey Series and as much as I love rivals to lovers, I’m not a fan of sex starting while the characters still actively dislike each other. Despite my misgivings going in, I ended up really loving this book. The authors have such a way of building relationships that feels real and light and fun. As hard as Ezra and Anton tried to fight it, they were so obviously fond of each other. This was ideal idiot-4-idiot fun, with great banter and just adorable characters that you want to hug from start to finish (yes, even when one or both are being absolutely annoying…they somehow are still adorable through it!). And the Queer Collective! I loved the friendship between them and how much the group meant to all of them.
If you enjoyed the CU Hockey Series, this is a great continuation of that and is absolute fun.