devan's reviews
137 reviews

The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai

emotional hopeful informative inspiring 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

5.0

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

challenging emotional sad fast-paced

4.0

Heartbreaking

Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced

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

4.25

I found myself loving and hating the characters at the same time as I saw my own flaws reflected in them. Loved the writing style and the different perspectives. The sex scenes were also fun!

All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson

dark emotional inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

I loved that this was written for teens but doesn’t really hold back. It’s honest and raw and open. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying and Rape

Wild Seed by Octavia E. Butler

challenging dark medium-paced

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

4.75

I loved the different ways love was represented in this story. I enjoyed it and want to read more of the series but it did take me a while to get into  it.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape and Death

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

Was cute! It was a good vacation read.

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

hopeful sad fast-paced

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

4.5

A fun read. I always like TJR reads. I have also loved the characters that re-appear in her books. I like how she builds up worlds around these characters and I feel like I can step into their world.

Shit Cassandra Saw by Gwen E. Kirby

fast-paced

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

3.5

Heart Berries by Terese Marie Mailhot

sad fast-paced

1.5

I think I am being generous with a 1.5. People have said this book is poetic. It feels more like stream of consciousness - verbal vomit. I know mental health can be a tough topic but it felt more like “woe is me, I can’t stop saying yes to this unhealthy relationship and I feel bad no good about it”. 

Memoirs are tough to review but it brings up a question about who they are written for. If someone needs to tell their story, who am I to stop you but stories like this being praised feel a bit like rewarding & praising toxic relationships. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Death, Suicide, and Toxic relationship

Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley

adventurous dark hopeful mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.75

Really enjoyed it. It is not as much of a on the edge of your seat page turner that Firekeeper’s Daughter was, however, the character are strong and the story is captivating. I really loved being back on Sugar Island.