egmamaril's reviews
734 reviews

Hammajang Luck by Makana Yamamoto

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emotional fast-paced

4.75

Like a Hawaiian Ocean's 8 in space but make it more trans and queer.  A delightful romp.
Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark

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dark hopeful fast-paced

4.5

This absolutely lived up to the hype!
Guilt and Ginataan by Mia P. Manansala

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fast-paced

3.25

Everyone annoyed me in this one!
The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister

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

3.5

A slow, moody novel about family lore, the ties that bind us and that we choose. This book tries to make a commentary about enmeshment and free will, about love, trauma, and need, but it all gets a bit muddy (pun intended). The ending and Percy's part leading to it where he
alludes to maybe having engaged in sexual activity or at least desiring with his undead bog mother
was particularly troubling.
The Shadow Cabinet by Juno Dawson

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4.25

It always takes me forever to get into these books, but once I'm in everything is so heartfelt. Maybe  I'll get it right with Human Rights. 😅
The Shadow Sister by Lily Meade

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4.0

A story of sisters, with intertwining unreliable narrators.
The Pelican Brief by John Grisham

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3.75

This held up more than I expected for something written in 1992! The quality of the writing is above par for this genre and it was interesting to see how much slower-paced a mass market thriller could be back then. I have to knock it for the sleezy male gaze objectifying Darby. Finally, and this is the world's fault and not the book's fault, but the premise seems so tame for 2024 because political stakes have devolved so much.
The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White

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dark mysterious sad tense fast-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

4.75

Compelling and dark. A YA classic.