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daniellestarredpages's reviews
232 reviews
Dick Fight Island, Vol. 1 by Reibun Ike
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I read this as a crack read, and it delivered. This is straight-up comedy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
A Botanist's Guide to Flowers and Fatality by Kate Khavari
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
When I requested this ARC, I wasn't aware that this was a sequel. I read it anyway as the book was readable without reading the first book. I found the MCs to be enjoyable to read about, though the side characters could've been fleshed out a bit more. I originally thought Saffron and Lee would play a bigger part in the overall investigation, I enjoyed the things they did do anyway. I hoped there would be a bit more romantic development between Saffron and Lee, as there was a good amount of tension but it ultimately went nowhere (technically). However, the overall reading experience was great
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder
Minor: Child death, Sexual harassment
How You Grow Wings by Rimma Onoseta
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
In the description of this book, there was no mention that this was mostly a fan-written prequel to an H.P. Lovecraft story. The book itself was short but then we account for the fact that about 10 pages were used to insert the actual Lovecraft story.
I personally was not a fan of the art style. Most of the art was in a black-and-white sketch style with vivid colours used for the creatures that only the caretaker could see. I didn't like how the humans in the story looked but the magical creatures were nice enough to look at. However, that didn't make up for the fact that I did not enjoy the story.
There was a lot going on with the characters but it gave me no enjoyment as I didn't actually know or care about the characters.
I personally was not a fan of the art style. Most of the art was in a black-and-white sketch style with vivid colours used for the creatures that only the caretaker could see. I didn't like how the humans in the story looked but the magical creatures were nice enough to look at. However, that didn't make up for the fact that I did not enjoy the story.
There was a lot going on with the characters but it gave me no enjoyment as I didn't actually know or care about the characters.
The Monstrous Dreams of Mr. Providence by Daria Schmitt
1.0
In the description of this book, there was no mention that this was mostly a fan-written prequel to an H.P. Lovecraft story. The book itself was short but then we account for the fact that about 10 pages were used to insert the actual Lovecraft story.
I personally was not a fan of the art style. Most of the art was in a black-and-white sketch style with vivid colours used for the creatures that only the caretaker could see. I didn't like how the humans in the story looked but the magical creatures were nice enough to look at. However, that didn't make up for the fact that I did not enjoy the story.
There was a lot going on with the characters but it gave me no enjoyment as I didn't actually know or care about the characters.
I personally was not a fan of the art style. Most of the art was in a black-and-white sketch style with vivid colours used for the creatures that only the caretaker could see. I didn't like how the humans in the story looked but the magical creatures were nice enough to look at. However, that didn't make up for the fact that I did not enjoy the story.
There was a lot going on with the characters but it gave me no enjoyment as I didn't actually know or care about the characters.
Check, Please! Book 1: #Hockey by Ngozi Ukazu
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
There are some things in this book that could be explained away with the fact that this is a graphic novel. But I still think there was more room for development in a lot of areas.
The pacing or structure of this book was one issue for me. The author frequently did this thing where they ended a chapter on a type of cliffhanger or tense seen and then never addressed it. In the very next scene, it's a whole new plot point, and there is never any resolution mentioned.
I also didn't really see any romantic development between Jack and Bitty. There were some scenes that I could say were a hint to romance between the characters, but on their own, they do nothing to make a romantic relationship between the characters believeable.
Other than those issues, the book was a fun read. Bitty and the other characters were endearing, and the art style was nice to look at.
The pacing or structure of this book was one issue for me. The author frequently did this thing where they ended a chapter on a type of cliffhanger or tense seen and then never addressed it. In the very next scene, it's a whole new plot point, and there is never any resolution mentioned.
I also didn't really see any romantic development between Jack and Bitty. There were some scenes that I could say were a hint to romance between the characters, but on their own, they do nothing to make a romantic relationship between the characters believeable.
Other than those issues, the book was a fun read. Bitty and the other characters were endearing, and the art style was nice to look at.
Into the Light by Mark Oshiro
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Into The Light hooked me from the very beginning and kept my attention until the very end. I really enjoyed Into The Light but I must say that it is not a happy story. In Mark Oshiro's own words, Into The Light is a story that tackles the experience of Christian Nationalism and Adoption in the US.
While this book has two POVs -Manny, a homeless boy trying o save his sister from a Christian Cult and Eli, a boy who is currently the star child of thick very same cult- Into The Light is really Manny's story. We get about 5 chapters from Manny's POV to every 1 from Eli's and I can't say I minded. Oshiro writes Manny's experiences on the road, before and with the Varela's very well. The slightly non-linear timeline of the book, while it takes a bit to get used to, really adds to the atmosphere of this novel. The formatting of Manny's thought process felt slightly stilted but unlike in other stories, this felt very purposeful and added to the atmosphere of this book as well.
The character work in this book was also a standout in the reading experience. Manny and Eli, while they don't have universal experiences, they are very easy to connect to and care for. The other characters in this book were just as fleshed out as Manny and Eli they all contributed to the story.
I really loved Into The Light and highly recommend it. Be sure to look into the trigger warnings before reading.
While this book has two POVs -Manny, a homeless boy trying o save his sister from a Christian Cult and Eli, a boy who is currently the star child of thick very same cult- Into The Light is really Manny's story. We get about 5 chapters from Manny's POV to every 1 from Eli's and I can't say I minded. Oshiro writes Manny's experiences on the road, before and with the Varela's very well. The slightly non-linear timeline of the book, while it takes a bit to get used to, really adds to the atmosphere of this novel. The formatting of Manny's thought process felt slightly stilted but unlike in other stories, this felt very purposeful and added to the atmosphere of this book as well.
The character work in this book was also a standout in the reading experience. Manny and Eli, while they don't have universal experiences, they are very easy to connect to and care for. The other characters in this book were just as fleshed out as Manny and Eli they all contributed to the story.
I really loved Into The Light and highly recommend it. Be sure to look into the trigger warnings before reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Murder, Abandonment
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Abortion, Fire/Fire injury
The Witch King by H.E. Edgmon
adventurous
emotional
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
Review to come
Blink #1 by Christopher Sebela
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I'm not really sure what to think of this graphic novel. The art style was beautiful but the formatting was often too cluttered or confusing. Sometimes it worked with the book to visually express the story's atmosphere but other times it just made the book hard to read.
I think this story was a character study focused on obsession more than anything else. But for a character-focused story, the characterisation wasn't done as well as it could've been. The main character frequently shifted stances or motivations for no apparent reason and it was exhausting to try and keep up with.
The book had a surveillance-focused horror element and in the book, it was mentioned that the real-world surveillance outside BLINK was a bad thing but the "why" wasn't really explained.
I do think the idea itself was interesting and the overall pacing was consistent
I think this story was a character study focused on obsession more than anything else. But for a character-focused story, the characterisation wasn't done as well as it could've been. The main character frequently shifted stances or motivations for no apparent reason and it was exhausting to try and keep up with.
The book had a surveillance-focused horror element and in the book, it was mentioned that the real-world surveillance outside BLINK was a bad thing but the "why" wasn't really explained.
I do think the idea itself was interesting and the overall pacing was consistent
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Spell Bound by F.T. Lukens
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
When reading Spell Bound, you get more character work than anything else. Spell Bound isn't really heavy on working out the Magic System. There are straightforward explanations and few additions as the story goes on. This isn't necessarily as negative, but if you're looking for a witchy story that is heavy on the Magical work then maybe try leaving Spell Bound for another time.
In this story, we follow Rook and Sun through their POVs but we also get to know Antonia and Fable, their mentors. The characterisation was done extremely well.
My favourite part f this book was the friendship and romantic development between Sun and Rook. Their personalities blended so well, their interactions were amusing and the development of their relationship was well-written.
Another relationship I enjoyed in this bools was the dynamic between Antonia and Rook. Throughout the book, Antonia becomes the only adult that really cares about Rook and that found family aspect was really great.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
Thank you to Netgalley, Simon and Schuster as well as Coloured Pages Book Tours for an ARC of this wonderful book.
In this story, we follow Rook and Sun through their POVs but we also get to know Antonia and Fable, their mentors. The characterisation was done extremely well.
My favourite part f this book was the friendship and romantic development between Sun and Rook. Their personalities blended so well, their interactions were amusing and the development of their relationship was well-written.
Another relationship I enjoyed in this bools was the dynamic between Antonia and Rook. Throughout the book, Antonia becomes the only adult that really cares about Rook and that found family aspect was really great.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
Thank you to Netgalley, Simon and Schuster as well as Coloured Pages Book Tours for an ARC of this wonderful book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death