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ellornaslibrary's reviews
465 reviews
I Hear the Sunspot: Theory of Happiness by Yuki Fumino
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Ableism, and Panic attacks/disorders
King of Wrath by Ana Huang
emotional
funny
reflective
relaxing
slow-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? Yes
3.75
Let me preface this by saying: Billionaire Romance is not my thing.
However, my sister got this book and I had it available through KU so I was like heck let's try one of the spicy books she reads. And tbh, I was pretty sure that I'd not get far in this book and end up swiftly DNFing it. So imagine my surprise when I basically read this almost 400 page book in 3 days and had s good time with it. In the beginning, I was positive that Dante was going to be the reason I stopped reading this book. I am not into Romances where one love interest is a jerk to the other even if there's some hidden reason you can't tell them. Yet, Dante definitely left me surprised in the best way. I also found that I really likes Vivian as a character and enjoyed the story elements in regards to her family too. Dante and Vivian were a delight together. I do wish we'd have gotten more siblin g moments with Luca and Dante or Vivian and Agnes, and really wished we'd gotten more of the adorable Dante we started seeing around 80% into the book, but I did enjoy this far more than I thought I would. It was a good time.
However, my sister got this book and I had it available through KU so I was like heck let's try one of the spicy books she reads. And tbh, I was pretty sure that I'd not get far in this book and end up swiftly DNFing it. So imagine my surprise when I basically read this almost 400 page book in 3 days and had s good time with it. In the beginning, I was positive that Dante was going to be the reason I stopped reading this book. I am not into Romances where one love interest is a jerk to the other even if there's some hidden reason you can't tell them. Yet, Dante definitely left me surprised in the best way. I also found that I really likes Vivian as a character and enjoyed the story elements in regards to her family too. Dante and Vivian were a delight together. I do wish we'd have gotten more siblin g moments with Luca and Dante or Vivian and Agnes, and really wished we'd gotten more of the adorable Dante we started seeing around 80% into the book, but I did enjoy this far more than I thought I would. It was a good time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Blood and Gun violence
Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery by Brom
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
This book is marketed as horror, and there are parts that definitely left me feeling a little scared at first. Except then it becomes something altogether and different. The thing that should scare you isn't what you should be scared of essentially. Always love it if it is done well and the possibility was there just wasn't delivered upon in the end. I liked Abitha a lot and the other main character a good deal; found the story fascinating enough to continue reading after the book turned out not to be what I was hoping for when I picked it up. I even found the side characters interesting.
However, the story moves so slow and the satisfaction I was hoping to find in this new possible story presented was short-lived as it turned into the usual predictable story. It was at least going to be a 3 or 3.5 star book though until the blatant ableism right at the end. Literal magic in this book, used multiple times throughout to do amazing things, and then we get to this part and just. . . it was insulting and offensive so now it's a 2 star book and I don't know if I'll pick up another book from this author anytime soon.
CW Ableism details:magic used to make corn sprout from the dirt, to make bees mass produce honey, to make them fly at one point on a broom. . . And instead of healing her damaged legs, makes a comment about living as a cripple the rest of her days and she shudders at the idea. Her reaction is even worse considering that her husband was disabled. . . Nevermind she could have all sorts of options with literal magic at her fingertips too even if her legs weren't fully healed. Just so offensive and exhausting at this point to see this attitude presented.
However, the story moves so slow and the satisfaction I was hoping to find in this new possible story presented was short-lived as it turned into the usual predictable story. It was at least going to be a 3 or 3.5 star book though until the blatant ableism right at the end. Literal magic in this book, used multiple times throughout to do amazing things, and then we get to this part and just. . . it was insulting and offensive so now it's a 2 star book and I don't know if I'll pick up another book from this author anytime soon.
CW Ableism details:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Gun violence, Torture, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Sexism, Death, Animal death, Gore, Religious bigotry, and Murder
Moderate: Physical abuse, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Animal cruelty, Confinement, and Ableism
In Love & Pajamas: A Collection of Comics about Being Yourself Together by Catana Chetwynd
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
These comics are such a delight for me. I've been reading them for years, even before they started being put into books, as they always made me smile. Though the bigger reason is it's so relatable to how my partner and I are in our relationship. In the drawings and stories told on each page, I see us and it brings warmth to my heart. I know that sounds cheesy, but I don't care one bit. While reading this particular book? I did just like any others and showed him the comics that made me go "omg" the most in how they could've been us on the page instead. And I think that's what makes these comics so wonderful. I'm glad to add another one to my read books list and can't wait for more.
Everybody Has a Body by Molli Jackson Ehlert
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Big by Vashti Harrison
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Wow. I was not expecting this book to be so powerful. It's message is relatable for so many people in the world. It's such an important message conveyed through the moving, beautiful art found on each page. The color choices are an additionally brilliant choice as well. The message in this book is one we all need to listen to, but adults for sure. It's often adults that perpetuate the cruelty that children then latch onto once. They are taught to harm, which leaves a lasting mark on the world in how it shapes those they harm into the adults they become, and that has got to change. The world needs to change so that children never have to feel this way. I am so glad that I was recommended this book - by a librarian! support your libraries & libriarians! - and definitely plan to recommend it to many others.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Body shaming, and Fatphobia
We Are Starlings: Inside the Mesmerizing Magic of a Murmuration by Robert Furrow, Donna Jo Napoli
adventurous
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
Poetry Comics by Grant Snider
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Mental illness
This was such a delightful read. I follow Grant Snider over on Threads where shares poetry comics including my favorite one called Words of Wonder. When I saw that a book was being released? I knew I had to read it, and to get ahold of it during National Poetry Month is even better. The poems are fun, but also reflect on things like issues with self-confidence and how hard it can be learn something yet in a way that shows understanding while also giving hope. There's even lovely comics about how to write poetry or what it's like to write that were super relatable. There were moments where I laughed, shook my head in agreement, and just found that I felt lighter and was unable to stop smiling at the joy I was feeling. I definitely recommend picking this book up when you get a chance. You'll be happy you did.
Emergency Skin by N.K. Jemisin
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Godkiller by Hannah Kaner
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Violence, and War
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Animal death, Blood, Chronic illness, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Child abuse, and Slavery
Minor: Alcohol
This book. . . how do I put into words how much I adore this book. I am baffled that I had not heard about this book sooner given the absolutely amazing disability/chronic pain rep to be found within it. Not just the side characters, no, but the main characters too. I was floored. And it wasn't just one type of disability experience, but people that had different disabled experiences. Found within the pages there's great mental health rep and LGQBTIA+ rep too. On top of this are a variety of well-written characters, including the side characters who feel beautifully fleshed out, and the brilliant unveiling of a fascinating world. I could not stop reading this book and want more. So much so I'm re-reading it this month(April) on audiobook just so I can read the sequel sooner as my ebook hold still has like 7 weeks to go cause people are realizing what I did: this book is amazing.
Anyways, while I wanted to write a more involved review, I forgot I hadn't gotten around to it so instead this babbling mess of me gushing at 3am is the best I can do. I'll write something better at a later date.