cocopuff3438's reviews
80 reviews

Starling House by Alix E. Harrow

emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

artfully woven tale of magic and mystery; love and myth; the plights of poverty and cooperate greed. The characters are charming, raw and real and beautifully imperfect. As Opal digs deeper into the ever-strange secrets enveloped in the town and its haunting manor, we also witness heartfelt relationships both gentle and tumultuous. 

So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole

adventurous emotional funny inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

phenomenal read 😩💕 the themes of colonialism and anti-imperialism heavily entwined with the magic of dragons and gods spin a riveting and page turning tale. I’m absolutely obsessed. 

Mister Magic by Kiersten White

emotional funny mysterious reflective 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? It's complicated

4.0

On the surface the intriguing mystery starts with a children’s show that seems to only exist in people’s vague memory and the supposed cast members coming to reunite and do a tell all. However, the story takes a more provocative turn when ideas of child exploitation, religion, and the toxicity of controlling relationships is discovered at the root of all our characters’ misfortune. Throughout the reading experience you’re constantly wondering if Mister Magic was real, if this was all the result of trauma and mistreated children, or if perhaps someone did get ahold of such “magic” would they use it for good or for bad? It’s a great, thought-provoking piece on uncovering what lurks in different kinds of darkness and coming to break harmful, generational cycles. 💗

When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Uprooted by Naomi Novik

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

4.0

Something like a grim fairytale meets howl’s moving castle

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and War

Moderate: Sexual assault

Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery by Brom

dark sad tense medium-paced

3.75

this was emotionally harrowing 😭 I appreciate and respect the commentary but that was brutal. It was like dark, disturbing Miyazaki—the visuals were really cool but instead of being a wholesome witch story it was a horror tragedy 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Torture

The Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan

adventurous funny slow-paced

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

3.75

The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi

dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

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

5.0

a terribly beautiful story, something like an old grimm fairytale made modern. Gorgeous, lyrical prose that transports you into the dark magic of the tale— or rather the dark magic of life. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship

Moderate: Sexual assault

A Curse for True Love by Stephanie Garber

hopeful fast-paced

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

3.75

A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross

adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.5

Gorgeous gorgeous writing! Absolutely in love with the atmospheric world building. The best parts of her book were the intricately painted scenes, vivid and lush descriptions and aesthetic plot choices (the ballads, the spirits, etc.) the love story was pretty cute too