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daniellestarredpages's reviews
231 reviews
Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Homophobia, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Pandemic/Epidemic
A Touch of Shadows by Jessica Thorne
3.0
A Touch Of Shadows by Jessica Thorne is a good read for readers just getting into high fantasy books. Stories where they must learn a new world and new rules. It was a good introduction to those types of stories as there was good worldbuilding at the beginning of the book but it wasn't too complicated or anything too overwhelming to pick up easily.
I do think the world-building could've used a bit of work as the story went on, specifically the magic system. I felt the magic system felt a bit weak logic-wise as the characters started to use their powers more. While we did get a bit of history and some explanation regarding the magic early on in the book, it still felt a bit vague. I do hope there is a bit of expansion on that in the second and third books.
Unfortunately, I wasn't a fan of romance. The insta-love took the "instant part" to a whole new level. I think the author tried to compensate by tying their immediate connection with the magic but I don't think enough development was done with the relationship outside of that. So when the characters started to act a bit intimate I was quite confused as to how we got there.
I quite liked the idea behind Wren's mother and her history. Without giving away spoilers, the idea of her feeling restricted by her position and her eventually being "trapped" by her love is quite interesting.
Thank you to Netgalley and Second Sky Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I do think the world-building could've used a bit of work as the story went on, specifically the magic system. I felt the magic system felt a bit weak logic-wise as the characters started to use their powers more. While we did get a bit of history and some explanation regarding the magic early on in the book, it still felt a bit vague. I do hope there is a bit of expansion on that in the second and third books.
Unfortunately, I wasn't a fan of romance. The insta-love took the "instant part" to a whole new level. I think the author tried to compensate by tying their immediate connection with the magic but I don't think enough development was done with the relationship outside of that. So when the characters started to act a bit intimate I was quite confused as to how we got there.
I quite liked the idea behind Wren's mother and her history. Without giving away spoilers, the idea of her feeling restricted by her position and her eventually being "trapped" by her love is quite interesting.
Thank you to Netgalley and Second Sky Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Slavery, Blood, Murder, War
Wash Day Diaries by Jamila Rowser
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Wash Day Diaries is a perfect palate cleanser. It is a quick read and thankfully the story itself doesn't suffer due to the book's length.
The illustrations were beautiful and one could enjoy the book purely by looking at the art. I loved the way the characters were drawn and I truly loved how different each character looked. Finally, I must say that Rowser and Smith wrote and illustrated each character's story beautifully and conveyed their friendship in such an amazing way.
The illustrations were beautiful and one could enjoy the book purely by looking at the art. I loved the way the characters were drawn and I truly loved how different each character looked. Finally, I must say that Rowser and Smith wrote and illustrated each character's story beautifully and conveyed their friendship in such an amazing way.
Wrath of the Talon by Sophie Kim
This book started off a bit slow, but that=nkfully it wasn't so slow that it impacted my desire to continue reading.
I'm glad Sohpie J=Kin included Rui's P.O.V. as well as the P.O.V. of "The Voice". I think these perspectives added quite a bit to the story. One detail about The Voice that I wasn't a fan of, however, was when The Voice had taken over Lina's actions, the writing wasn't quite clear on whether it was Lina's actions and thoughts or The Voice's.
While Lina's convictions and feelings towards her sister were very clear and well-cemented throughout the story, I found myself wishing Eunbi had more on-page time. While I as a reader connected with Eunbi through Lina's love for her, I think seeing Eunbi and Lina interact more would've imported the book.
Overall I enjoyed the storyline and character work in this book.
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This book started off a bit slow, but that=nkfully it wasn't so slow that it impacted my desire to continue reading.
I'm glad Sohpie J=Kin included Rui's P.O.V. as well as the P.O.V. of "The Voice". I think these perspectives added quite a bit to the story. One detail about The Voice that I wasn't a fan of, however, was when The Voice had taken over Lina's actions, the writing wasn't quite clear on whether it was Lina's actions and thoughts or The Voice's.
While Lina's convictions and feelings towards her sister were very clear and well-cemented throughout the story, I found myself wishing Eunbi had more on-page time. While I as a reader connected with Eunbi through Lina's love for her, I think seeing Eunbi and Lina interact more would've imported the book.
Overall I enjoyed the storyline and character work in this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Death of parent, Alcohol, Sexual harassment
Minor: Rape, Kidnapping
Typecast by Andrea J. Stein
Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.
Unfortunately, this book was a DNF. I was very bored throughout the 25% of the book I read. While I liked Callie as a character, I found her inner monologue to be so very draining as the author gave so many unnecessary details in, every, single sentence. The synopsis also pitched this book in a romantic light and from what I've read it seems to be more of a women's fiction.
My Darling Dreadful Thing by Johanna van Veen
2.0
I honestly have no idea why I finished this book. I gave it an extra half star just because I manged to finish it so that bumped it up from 1.5 stars.
I have to say I wasn't the biggest fan of the way the author left the existence of ghosts up to readers. As a concept I understand it but personally I felt this wasn't the story to leave that plot point open.
I was quite apathetic toward the main character and found her P.O.V a slog to get through but I also found the interspersed psychologist sessions to be slow as well, so I really can't say I enjoyed much of the of the writing in this book.
The Sapphic relationship, I think did a good job of showing a toxic obsession. So that is one element I guess I could add to the pros list concerning this book.
Overall I can definitely say I didn't enjoy this book.
I have to say I wasn't the biggest fan of the way the author left the existence of ghosts up to readers. As a concept I understand it but personally I felt this wasn't the story to leave that plot point open.
I was quite apathetic toward the main character and found her P.O.V a slog to get through but I also found the interspersed psychologist sessions to be slow as well, so I really can't say I enjoyed much of the of the writing in this book.
The Sapphic relationship, I think did a good job of showing a toxic obsession. So that is one element I guess I could add to the pros list concerning this book.
Overall I can definitely say I didn't enjoy this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Gore, Miscarriage, Racism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting
Moderate: Incest, Infertility, Miscarriage