elaine707's reviews
516 reviews

What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma by Stephanie Foo

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

4.75

An excellent memoir that delves into C-PTSD like I have never seen before. As an Asian American grappling with trauma and a new diagnosis, Foo encapsulates the healing process. She made me feel validated in feelings I have long forgotten and buried while also reminding each of us that to be loved is because of who we are, not in spite of it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Police brutality

The Will of the Many by James Islington

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

4.5

An undercover orphan must infiltrate the elite school of the Republic — the Hierarchy — to solve a murder and hopefully survive long enough to get out of the Republic. Dark academia, suspense, and a magic system compromised of literally the Will of Many. AND HE HAS COMMON SENSE. He is very strategic, and while he isn’t a genius or exceptional, he is still doing his best to survive and struggle up the academic pyramid. 

I would love to see more of the women in the next book. I can see a hint of the characters' complexities in this book, so hopefully, it will be fleshed out more in the next one. 

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh

emotional lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I have heard and read many versions of girls sacrificed to the Sea for a fortuitous year, but this retelling is now one of my favorites. 

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

adventurous challenging emotional tense 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? Yes

5.0

One day, there was magic, and then it disappeared. In its wake, death and broken families were all that was left. During a final attempt to eradicate magic, a girl gives herself to save not only magic but also her people. 

I am absolutely obsessed.

The Lord Sorcier by Olivia Atwater

lighthearted fast-paced

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

The prequel to Half a Soul to see who Elias and Albert were before the whirlwind of the girl with half a soul came into their lives.

Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

So witty and perfectly crafted. I loved her independence and intelligence. Even in a world where women are seen as inferior to men, she doesn't let it detract from her autonomy and her moral compass. She has deductive reasoning and a very kind heart. 

ASAP by Axie Oh

funny lighthearted 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? Yes

4.25

The Virgo in her is the Virgo in all of us (or maybe just me). I loved this continuation from XOXO. 

I Hope This Doesn't Find You by Ann Liang

funny lighthearted tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Aside from the intense second-hand embarrassment, this was a lighthearted and funny read. 

If all your worst thoughts about your peers were sent out to everyone in school, it would be an utter nightmare -- poor girl. 

The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen

dark emotional informative tense 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

4.0

A man of two minds and two identities but nowhere to belong. 

Some parts were very hard to read, and the whole book had a very crass tone, but overall, the prose was gripping and informative. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Violence, and War

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.25

She is determined to save her brother, even if it means infiltrating the oppressive academy of Masks, who persecute her people, the Scholars.

Espionage is not her specialty, and I wish she had more common sense, but what can be done when raised sheltered?

I am excited to see where the series takes us. I hope the main girl grows up.